MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College overcame a slow start and cold shooting in the first half to defeat the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 57-50 Sunday (Nov. 29) in the championship game of the 31st annual Jim Meagle Turkey Shoot sponsored by BSN Sports. The title was Marietta's third in the last five years and 15th in the tournament's history.

Marietta (6-0 overall) shot just 29% (9-of-31) from the floor in the first half and missed all four of its three-point attempts. Rose-Hulman (3-1 overall) hit four shots from behind the arc and led 24-19 at halftime.

Sophomore Ashley Frasure kept the Pioneers in the game scoring eight of her 12 points in the first half. However, she was at her best on the defensive end of the floor. Frasure, the Lisa Wagner Most Valuable Player, tied a school record with nine blocked shots in the game. She also grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

Junior Jordanna Rauch hit a jumper at the 4:20 mark of the third quarter to give Marietta its first lead, 35-34, since the first quarter. The Pioneers closed the third period with an 8-1 run making it 41-36 in favor of Marietta.

RHIT scored the first five points in the fourth quarter to tie the game, 41-41. After trading small leads, Jo Herd-Middlebrooks scored on a layup with 5:09 remaining to give Marietta the lead, 47-46. The Pioneers would not trail again.

Amisha Herd hit four free throws down the stretch to secure the win. Herd finished with a team-best 14 points. Brooke Borich chipped in with eight points and earned all-tournament honors after leading MC in scoring in the first round.

Josie Schmidt and Kristen Belyea represented the Engineers on the all-tournament team. Schmidt scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Belyea added nine points on three three-pointers.

For the game, Marietta shot 35.0% (21-of-60) from the floor, 40.0% (4-of-10) from three-point range and 78.6% (11-of-14) at the line. Rose-Hulman was 15-of-55 (27.3%) from the floor, 7-of-17 (41.2%) behind the arc and 13-of-21 (61.9%) at the line.

The Engineers outrebounded Marietta 46-40. Rose-Hulman committed 13 turnovers, while the Pioneers turned the ball over seven times.

Hiram edged Case Western 77-75 in the consolation game. Mercedes Jones led the Terriers with 23 points. Jessica McCoy scored 19 points to lead Case Western. Both Jones and McCoy were named to the all-tournament team.

Marietta opens Ohio Athletic Conference play on the road at rival Muskingum University Wednesday (Dec. 2). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.