MARIETTA, Ohio — No. 19 Marietta College scored the first 18 points of the third quarter to pull away from visiting Otterbein University as the Pioneers posted a 70-55 win Wednesday (Jan. 26) evening in women's basketball action.
"Our offense in the first half was really stagnant, but that changed in the third quarter. We started getting great cuts to the hoop and (Olivia) Gribble came alive for us," Marietta head coach Kole Vivian said. "I thought our rebounding was unbelievable the entire game. And for the most part, we took away their transition scoring. Otterbein is a really good team and to have two wins against them is a credit to our program."
Marietta improves to 16-2 on the season and 9-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Otterbein falls to 12-5 overall and 6-4 in conference games.
The Pioneers started the game with three quick baskets grabbing an early 6-0 lead. Marietta clung to a small lead throughout most of the quarter until Otterbein's Natalie Galaida hit a three-pointer to tie the game, 11-11, with 3:32 left in the period. MC led 15-14 heading into the second quarter.
Neither team led by more than five points in the second quarter. The Cardinals got layups from Kathleen DeCarlo and Bryn Mangold to close out the period sending the game into halftime tied at 30-30.
Marietta came out of the locker room and completely dominated the first half of the third quarter. Olivia Gribble drained a trio of three-pointers sparking an 18-point Pioneer run as Marietta led 48-30, with 4:50 left in the period.
Otterbein cut the deficit to 14 points but could get no closer. The Pioneers led by as many as 23 points when Kelly Levering converted a pair of free throws at the 3:25 mark to make it 68-45.
Devin Hefner led the Pioneers with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Gribble finished with 11 points and four steals, while Levering had 10 points and four rebounds. Hannah Schill added nine points and six assists. Erin Hahn chipped in with eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Kathleen DeCarlo came off the bench to lead Otterbein with 13 points. Claire Radabaugh scored 10 points and Jenna Hoschouer grabbed a team-high five rebounds.
Marietta hosts No. 14 Baldwin Wallace University in a battle of nationally ranked teams on Saturday (Jan. 29). Tip-off in ban Johnson Arena is set for 1 p.m.