Dec. 19, 2006
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Senior center Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) scored a game-high 22 points, and three other Pioneer players reached double figures to help the Marietta College men's basketball team turn a six-point halftime deficit into a 72-68 victory over Bridgewater (Va.) College in the opening round of the D-III Desert Shootout Tuesday (Dec. 19) afternoon on the campus of University of Nevada Las Vegas. [Box Score]

With the win, the Pioneers snap a five game losing streak and improve to 3-5 on the season. Marietta advances to Wednesday (Dec. 20) afternoon's championship game against the winner of the Carthage (Wis.) versus Olivet (Mich.) game which followed. Tip-off of the championship game is slated for 4:15 p.m. EST. Marietta took home the title in its last trip to the Las Vegas tournament in 2001-02.

Bridgewater (5-3) held the lead for most of the first half and entered the locker room with a 32-26 advantage. Marietta captured the lead for good when junior forward Kyle Reed (Burbank/Northwestern) tipped in a missed three-point attempt with just under 14 minutes remaining for his only points of the game. Minutes later, a three-point field goal by junior Matt Phillips (Williamson, W.Va./Tug Valley) sparked a 14-0 Pioneer run, allowing them to extend its lead to 58-43 at the 8:38 mark.

The Eagles battled back to within a point, 70-69, with 60 second to play, but sophomore guard Tyler Morando (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central) connected on a pair of late free throws and a last second shot from long range missed its mark and Marietta celebrated the 72-68 victory.

Marietta finished the day 26-of-46 (.565) from the field, including 6-of-18 (.333) from beyond the arc, and went 14-of-22 (.636) from the charity stripe. Bridgewater shot 25-of-50 (.500) from the floor, 6-of-19 (.333) from beyond the arc and 13-of-18 (.722) from the line. The Pioneers won the battle of the boards, 27-22, and forced 11 turnovers while committing 16 in the win.

Rucker, who finished 9-of-10 from the field and was one point shy of his career-high, added a game-high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Isaiah Creasap (Wooster/Northwestern) added 12 points while Morando had 11 and Phillips finished with 10.

Bridgewater was paced by Dominic Trawick with 16 points and Josh Fox and Andrew Cathlin each had nine points.

Senior Matt Rucker's 22-point effort led Marietta past Bridgewater Tuesday

Box Score