Jimmy Embrescia
jje001@marietta.edu
The women’s basketball team at Marietta College had a tough goal in front of themselves to start this season. The team, which has quickly ascended to being one of the top teams in the OAC set their sights on a second consecutive OAC title.
The Pioneers got off to a hot start, beating teams such as Salem College, Washington and Jefferson and Hiram College. Following these victories, the Pioneers were handed their first loss of the season by number nine nationally ranked Trine University.
The loss to Trine University was then followed by two wins to open OAC play. The Pioneers defeated Otterbein University 75-65 and John Carroll University 81-65.
The Pioneers then hosted number four nationally ranked Thomas More University. The Pioneers played well throughout but would ultimately fall to the Saints by a score of 75-81. Another loss to the Pioneers via Wilmington College would give the Pioneers their first loss in the conference.
Following the loss to the Quakers, Marietta went on a four game win streak. The wins came against Simpson College and Coe College in Fort Lauderdale over Winter break. The Pioneers returned to Marietta with momentum and thumped Muskingum 100-61. The run was topped off by a buzzer-beating win from sophomore Marlo Taylor over number 20 ranked Baldwin Wallace University.
The Pioneers then faced a rough patch, losing three straight contests in the OAC.
The end of the regular season was completed with great success. The Pioneers bounced back from unfortunate losses with six straight victories over OAC opponents. The wins would add to the Pioneer momentum entering the postseason.
Marietta earned the rights to host the first two rounds of the conference tournament. The Pioneers defeated the University of Mount Union by a sizeable 15-point margain. Two days later, the Pioneers were defeated by Ohio Northern University in a down to the wire match that ended 55-59.
For more coverage of Marietta College athletics please visit https://pioneers.marietta.edu/index.aspx
