ADA, Ohio — The Marietta College women’s basketball team stayed close but eventually fell to host Ohio Northern University, 65-59, Saturday in Ohio Athletic Conference competition. Marietta falls to 14-9 on the season and 8-8 in the OAC.

Ohio Northern moves to 16-7 overall and 12-4 in conference games.

“I thought we fought really hard today from start to finish,” said Marietta head coach Jenna Andersen. “Northern is a very well coached team that does not give way for many errors. We missed a few shots down the stretch that could’ve helped us get closer, but I’m proud of the fight from our team.”

Marietta scored on their opening possession after the tipoff as Paige Tolson hit a shot from three-point range. Adi Hill hit a three of her own at the 7:58 mark and the Pioneers led 7-4, but Kristen Luersman immediately answered with a three-pointer to tie the game. Brook Allen’s layup gave the Polar Bears their first lead, but Marietta retook the lead after Sophia Murray went 1-of-2 from the line and Ella McMillen scored a layup. The lead would change five times for the remainder of the quarter, but Ohio Northern got a pair of free throws from Abi Akamine in the final seconds and took a 15-14 lead after one quarter of play.

Both teams traded baskets to begin the second period but Marietta led by one after another three-pointer from Tolson. Unfortunately, that would be the last lead the Pioneers would enjoy for the remainder of the contest. Mackenzie Suprano and Allen hit consecutive three-pointer to push out to a five-point advantage. The Pioneers kept the margin close as Hannah Kroft and Hill both hit a pair of free throws, but Luersman’s layup with :39 second left would be the final points of the half and Ohio Northern led 28-25 at halftime.

The third quarter began with the Polar Bears getting the first two scores and pushing out to a seven-point lead. Marietta finally got on the board in the second half as Ally Grake nailed a three pointer and Hill followed with another to cut the lead to one. Later in the period with the deficit at three, Grake hit once again from three point range to tie the game at 34. ONU answered with a 14-4 run over the next five minutes to push out to a double-digit lead. Marietta gained a little ground back to close the quarter as Olivia Keeney and Grake scored on layups and Marietta trailed 48-42 going into the fourth quarter.

Marietta did what they could to chip away at the Polar Bear lead. Hill hit consecutive jumpers to cut the lead to five and, after Kroft hit a pair of free throws, the Pioneers trailed by only three with seven minutes left. ONU answered with a 6-0 run and Marietta trailed by nine and time running out. In the end, the Pioneers could not overcome the margin and fell to the Polar Bears, 65-59.

Hill led the Pioneers with 18 points and collected five rebounds. Tolson and Grake both scored 10 apiece.

Allen led ONU with 14 points and seven rebounds. Luersman added eight points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Marietta returns to the Ban Johnson Arena this Wednesday to battle Muskingum University. The tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Ohio Northern University led wire to wire as the Polar Bears defeated Marietta College by the score of 85-74 Saturday in Ohio Athletic Conference men’s basketball action. The Pioneers slip to 10-13 overall and 4-12 in the OAC. Ohio Northern improves to 12-11 on the season and 6-10 in the OAC.

The Polar Bears hit three quick three-pointers and jumped out to an early 11-0 lead forcing Marietta to play from behind the entire afternoon. Ohio Northern would go on to sink 10 three-pointers in the first half and took a 47-38 lead into halftime.

ONU started the second half much the same as the first, scoring the first 10 points of the period and extending the lead to 19 points, 57-38. Marietta battled back and trimmed the deficit to eight points, 72-64, with a 7-0 run. De’Ovion Price led the Pioneer run with five of MC’s seven points.

Ohio Northern stopped the Marietta comeback bid with back-to-back buckets pushing the margin back into double digits where it stayed for the remainder of the game. Despite not scoring in the final 1:50 of the game, ONU managed to hold off Marietta and secured the 85-74 victory,

Frank Waganfeald led the Pioneers with 22 points and seven rebounds. Jake Singleton hit five three-pointers and finished with 21 points. Price and Darius Carden each chipped in with 12 points.

Will Miller had four three-pointers and finished with a team-high 18 points for Ohio Northern. Carter Reese sank five shots from behind the arc and had 17 points. Blake Michael and Jadi Cunningham finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Marietta plays at rival Muskingum on Wednesday at 7 p.m.