MC hoopsters notch first win in record fashion

Nov. 27, 2004
NEW CONCORD, Ohio - The Pioneers' "Fun and Gun" style returned after a one-game layoff and it propelled Marietta to a record-breaking win over Kenyon, 133-100, in game two of the OAC vs. NCAC Challenge, hosted by Muskingum College.

Marietta (1-3) set the school record for points (133) and three-pointers made (19) in a game. The 19 three-pointers tied the OAC single-game record set by Wilmington last season against Baldwin-Wallace. MC's previous record for points was 116, which was hit four times, most recently in 1997-98 against North Central (IL). The old record for three-point field goals made in a game was 17, which was reached twice in Pioneer history and most recently in 2002-03 against Baldwin-Wallace.

The Pioneers started slow out of the gate, as Kenyon (0-3) built a 18-9 lead. MC climbed back to take a 27-26 lead with 11:19 to play in the half. After six lead changes, the Pioneers took the lead for good, 46-44, with five minutes to go in the first frame and entered the locker room with a 63-53 lead.

Marietta came out for the second half with the confidence that it could run this style effectively. The Pioneers forced 19 turnovers and had 17 steals in the final 20 minutes in route to the 33-point win. MC outscored Kenyon 70-47 in the final frame.

Coach Doug Foote's team finished the game 47-of-92 (51.1%) from the floor, including 19-of-43 (44.2%) from long range. They went 9-of-18 (50.0%) from three-point range in the second half. MC finished 20-of-26 (76.9%) from the charity stripe in the win.

The Lords shot 39-of-73 (53.4%) from the field, 8-of-18 (44.4%) from beyond the arc and 14-of-21 (66.7%) from the line. The committed 32 turnovers in the loss.

Six Pioneers scored in double figures. Senior Matt Hines (Waverly/Eastern Pike) led MC with 19 points, finishing 8-of-9 from the floor. He has now totaled 1,078 career points, moving him into 20th all-time on MC's career scoring list.

Josh Hull (Nitro, WV/Poca) (16 points), Chad Sponseller (Canton/GlenOak) (15 points, five rebounds, three steals and three assists), Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) (15 points, six boards), Sam Rutherford (Newport/Frontier) (14 points, three steals and three assists) and Chris Fulton (West Milton/Milton Union) (11 points) all finished in double figures. Seth Amburgey (Chapmanville, WV) added nine points and seven assists in the win.

Kenyon was led by Matt Formato with 22 points, while five others has at least 10 points in the loss.

Marietta will return to action tomorrow (Nov. 28) in day two of the OAC vs NCAC Challenge. The Pioneers will take on Denison in Granville at 4 p.m.

Senior Matt Hines had 19 points in MC's 133-100 win over Kenyon, giving him 1,078 in his career.

Box Score