Pioneers fall to Blue Streaks 96-73 on Alumni Day

Jan. 7, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio - A slow first half prevented the Marietta College men's basketball team from being able to hang with John Carroll Saturday (Jan. 7) on Alumni Day at Ban Johnson Arena. The result was a 96-73 victory for the Blue Streaks.

With the win, John Carroll improves to 9-4 overall and 5-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while Marietta falls to 3-10 overall, 0-6 in league play.

The Blue Streaks shot 22-of-35 (.629) to out score the Pioneers 49-30 over the first 20 minutes of the game. Marietta hung with John Carroll for the second half, but its early struggles prevented it from getting any closer than 13 in the final period.

Overall, Marietta shot 21-of-57 (.368) from the floor, including 9-of-25 (.360) from long range and 22-of-30 (.733) from the line. John Carroll, meanwhile, finished 39-of-71 (.549) from the field and 18-of-24 (.750) from the charity stripe.

The Blue Streaks won the battle of the boards 45-31 and forced Marietta into 24 turnovers, while committing 17.

Freshman Steve Luckhardt (Shadyside) scored a career and game-high 16 points, hitting 4-of-6 from long range.

Senior Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) finished with a double-double, 13 points and 11 rebounds, to go along with three blocks. In addition, sophomore Craig Stewart (Circleville) added 12 points and sophomore Andrew Good (Bexley) had 11.

John Carroll was paced by three players — Kyle Roggenburk, Demetrius Travis and Justin Ragor — with 12 points, while Pete Moran added 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Marietta will return to action Wednesday (Jan. 11) when it plays host to Mount Union at 7:30 p.m.

Freshman Steve Luckhardt had a career-high 16 points Saturday

Box Score