Jan. 13, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — Junior forward Kyle Reed (Burbank/Northwestern) and sophomore guard Tyler Morando (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central) each scored a game-high 19 points, but a late run by Heidelberg College sent Marietta College to a 74-70 loss on Alumni Day Saturday (Jan. 13) at Ban Johnson Arena. [Box Score]

The Pioneers (4-11, 0-8 OAC), who were playing in front of a large group of MC basketball alums on a day that the program honored the 26 members of its 1,000-point club, brought the crowd to its feet after jumping out to a 29-20 lead with 7:16 to play in the opening half. Heidelberg (10-5, 6-2 OAC), who entered in a four-way tie for first place in the Ohio Athletic Conference, used a 10-2 run after Marietta held a 37-27 lead with just over two minutes to go in the half to pull within a basket, 39-37 at intermission.

Marietta responded by opening the second half with an 11-3 run in the first six minutes to extend its lead to a game-high 12 points, 50-40, at the 14:13 mark. The Pioneers led by 12 points again, 59-47, with 9:33 remaining, before the Student Princes put together a 19-3 run of their own to steal the momentum and the lead, 66-62, with 2:26 left to go in the game.

A three-pointer by Reed cut Marietta's deficit to one point, 66-65, but Heidelberg's Chad Szalay answered with a trey of his own and then hit four clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the victory for the visiting Student Princes.

Marietta, who shot 65% in the first half, finished 24-of-47 (.511) from the floor, 6-of-15 (.400) from beyond the arc and 16-of-21 (.762) from the line. Heidelberg shot 25-of-53 (.472) from field, 9-of-22 (.409) from long range and 15-of-28 (.536) from the stripe. Both teams finished with 28 rebounds and Marietta committed 15 turnovers while Heidelberg finished with 13.

Senior Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) added 16 points and six rebounds to Reed and Morando's 19-point efforts. Morando also contributed four assists and three steals, while senior Ryan Wilkinson (Wilmington/Clinton Massie) added four points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Heidelberg had five players in double figures with Szalay pacing the team with 17 points. Brian Schmidt (14), Jake Hessey (13), Shawn Shriver (12) and Ron Higgins (10) also made their impact on the scoreboard in the win.

Marietta will return to action Wednesday (Jan. 17) when it visits Columbus for a 7 p.m. contest with the Capital Crusaders.

Senior Matt Rucker had a 16-point and six-rebound effort Saturday against Heidelberg

Box Score