MARIETTA, Ohio — No. 2 seed Marietta College defeated seventh-seeded John Carroll University, 85-72, in the quarterfinal round of the Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Tuesday (Feb. 20) evening in Ban Johnson Arena.

The Pioneers improve to 22-4 overall and will host Capital University in the semifinals on Thursday (Feb. 22) at 6:00 p.m. The sixth-seeded Crusaders (14-12 overall) upset No. 3 seed Mount Union by the score of 65-60 in the first round.

"We had one of our worst starts all year. I am glad we were able to go on a little run before half time to cut it to 11," Marietta head coach Kole Vivian said. "Shay was unbelievable tonight. For her to score her career-high in the OAC tournament says a lot about her preparation and desire to win. And Corrie is just so tough. She comes up with every big loose ball for us."

Shay Lett poured in a career-high 23 points to lead three Pioneers in double figures. Corrie Burkardt posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Brooke Borich chipped in with 13 points.

Nicole Heffington led the Blue Streaks (8-18 overall) with 23 points. Dani Carlson finished with 14 points, while Chelbi Graham had 12 points and eight boards.

John Carroll took advantage of Marietta's slow start and led by ten, 23-13, at the end of the first quarter. The Blue Streaks continued to open its lead and when Kahrin Spear converted one of two free throws with 2:07 left in the second quarter Marietta trailed by 18 points, 44-26.

The Pioneers managed to end the first half on a 7-0 run and cut the deficit to 11 points, 45-34, at halftime.

Marietta continued its run and scored the first 10 points of the third quarter to get within a point, 45-44, of the Blue Streaks. Borich drained a three-pointer midway through the period giving the Pioneers their first lead of the night, 48-47. MC would take a 58-55 lead into the fourth quarter.

Lett sparked the Pioneers to a 10-3 run to start the fourth quarter and push Marietta's lead to 10 points. Lett scored an old-fashioned three-pointer and added two more free throws during the run.

A three-point play from Burkhardt with 5:14 left in the game extended the lead to 14 points and sealed the Pioneer victory.

For the game, Marietta shot 38.8% (26-of-67) from the floor, 38.1% (8-of-21) from three-point range and 69.4% (25-of-36) at the free throw line. The Blue Streaks were 27-of-59 (45.8%) from the floor, 5-of-17 (29.4%) behind the arc and 13-of-23 (56.5%) at the line.

The Pioneers outrebounded John Carroll, 48-40. The Blue Streaks turned the ball over 19 times, while Marietta committed 15 turnovers.