Pioneers defeat Purple Raiders for first OAC victory of the season
Stewart and Creasap combine for 11 three-pointers in victory

Jan. 25, 2006
ALLIANCE, Ohio — The Marietta College Pioneers tasted victory for the first time in Ohio Athletic Conference play this season with a 76-71 win at Mount Union Wednesday (Jan. 25).

With the win, the Pioneers' first road victory in the Conference since a 75-56 win at Heidelberg on February 11, 2004, Marietta improves to 4-14 on the season, 1-10 in league play. Mount Union falls to 5-13, 4-7 in the OAC.

Marietta got off to a fast start and led 10-0 after the first 5:23. Mount Union, however battled back and took a 16-15 lead following a Chris Switzer three-pointer at the 9:38 mark. Marietta's Ryan Wilkinson tied the game at 20-20 with 7:30 remaining the half, but the Raiders followed with a 17-3 run over the next five minutes to build their lead to 14 points, 37-23, with 2:21 left in the first frame. A Matt Rucker jumper in the final minute cut the lead to 10 at intermission, 41-31.

Mount Union held a 43-31 lead one minute into the second half, but a Isaiah Creasap jumper ignited a 16-3 run for Marietta, giving them a 47-46 lead with 13:38 to go in the game. The Raiders found themselves back up eight, 55-47, with 11 minute remaining, only for the Pioneers to battle back to take the advantage, 63-62, on a Rucker lay-up with 4:28 to play.

A three-pointer by Creasap at the 1:35 mark broke a 67-67 tie and gave Marietta the lead for good. Mount Union pulled within two points, 73-71, but a free throw by Rucker and two more by Craig Stewart secured the victory for Marietta.

Stewart supplied most of the fireworks for Marietta's offense, hitting 7-of-10 from long range and finishing with a game-high 26 points. Creasap nailed 4-of-9 from beyond the arc to score 14 points. In addition, Rucker finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Steve Luckhardt had 10 points, five assists and three steals. Wilkinson also contributed seven points in the win.

Mount Union was paced by Switzer with 23 points, while Kyle Karpinski added 17 points in the loss.

Marietta will return to action Saturday (Jan. 28) to host first-place Baldwin-Wallace at 3 p.m. on Fenton Court . The Yellow Jackets are coming off a decisive 78-56 victory over John Carroll Wednesday.

Sophomore Craig Stewart hit seven three-pointers to lead Marietta past Mount Union 76-71

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