Hot first half propels Marietta to 111-89 victory over Denison in OAC vs. NCAC Challenge
Sponseller pours in a team-high 30 in victory

Nov. 27, 2005
GAMBIER, Ohio - What a difference a day makes. Less than 24 hours after the Marietta College men's basketball team struggled mightily in its loss to Kenyon, the Pioneers lit up the scoreboard for 71 first-half points en route to a 111-89 victory over Denison Sunday (Nov. 27), in day two of the 2005 OAC vs. NCAC Challenge.

The win improves the Pioneers' record to 2-3, while Denison falls to 2-2.

Marietta jumped out to a 31-21 lead at the midway point of the first half. From there, the Pioneers went on a 14-1 run over the next two minutes to break open the game, 45-22. Marietta went on to out score Denison 40-20 in the final 10 minutes to take a 71-41 lead at intermission.

The Pioneers shot 25-of-51 (.490) from the floor, including 10-of-23 (.435) from long range, while forcing 26 turnovers in the first half.

Marietta increased its lead to 35 points, 80-45, with 17:20 to go in the game. It then slowed down the pace for the last nine minutes of the game and cruised to the 111-89 victory.

Overall, the Pioneers finished 41-of-88 (.466) from the field, including 15-of-39 (.385) from beyond the arc. Denison went 38-of-64 (.594) from the floor and 4-of-10 from long range. Marietta forced 36 turnovers, while committing 21 in the win. Denison out rebounded Marietta 46-to-41.

Junior Chad Sponseller (Canton/GlenOak) had the hot hand this afternoon, connecting on 11-of-20 from the floor, including 7-of-13 from three-point land, to finish with 30 points in 14 minutes of action.

Sophomore Matt Phillips (Williamson, W. Va./Tug Valley) added 18 points and three steals off the bench, while sophomore Craig Stewart (Circleville) finished with 14 points.

Freshman Steve Luckhardt (Shadyside) also had a solid game, finishing with 12 points, four assists and a school-record tying six steals.

Junior Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) added six points and a team-high eight rebounds in the win.

Denison was paced by Robb Hern with 22 points and 18 rebounds and Dan Hodgkinson with 16 points and seven boards.

Marietta will return to action Saturday (Dec. 3), when it opens up Ohio Athletic Conference play on the road against Heidelberg. Tip-off in Tiffin, is slated for 3 p.m.

Junior Chad Sponseller scored 30 points in the win over Denison

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