Pioneers fall 129-87 to North Central (IL) in wild season opener

Nov. 19, 2004
NAPERVILLE, IL - The Marietta College men's basketball season got off to a wild start Friday (Nov. 19) with the Pioneers falling 129-87 to host North Central (IL) in the first round of the Holiday Inn Select Tip-off Tournament/Classic.

The Pioneers (0-1) put their fast pace "Fun and Gun" style on display in front of the Cardinals' home fans tonight, and North Central (1-0) took advantage of the tempo, shooting 50-of-78 (64.1%) from the field in route to the lopsided victory. The Cardinals 129 points in the most ever scored against Marietta, breaking the record of 116 set by Otterbein in 1981-82.

Marietta forced 17 turnovers in the game, but shot just 29-of-84 (34.5%) from the floor. The Pioneers went 16-of-51 (31.4%) from long range, setting the school record for three-point attempts in the loss. The previous record (43) was set against Kenyon in 1992-93.

North Central held a 63-37 lead after the first 20 minutes and led by as many as 47 points in the win.

Freshman Craig Stewart (Circleville) scored a team-high 16 points for the Pioneers, on 5-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Senior Chris Fulton (West Milton/Milton Union) and sophomore Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) each added 12 points in the loss. Freshman Seth Amburgey (Chapmanville, WV) also finished in double figures with 10 points, while adding four assists.

Five Cardinals finished in double figures, led by Mike Wilson with 30 points and Daniel Doyle with 22.

Coach Doug Foote and his Pioneers will return to action at 5 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 20) in the consolation game against Columbia (MO), who lost 81-68 to Franklin (IN) in the other first round game.

Craig Stewart led Marietta with 16 points in its 129-87 loss to North Central (IL)

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