Jan. 17, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Marietta College men's basketball team was held to a season-low 29.8% shooting in Wednesday (Jan. 17) evening's 67-41 loss to host Capital University to close out the first half of each team's Ohio Athletic Conference schedule. [Box Score]

The win improves the Crusaders record to 9-6 overall and 6-3 in the league, while the Pioneers fall to 4-12, 0-9 in the OAC.

Like the women's game, Capital game out on fire and never looked back. The Crusaders hits nine of their first 12 shots to build a 20-8 lead with 10 minutes left in the first half. Capital cooled off the rest of the half, scoring just two baskets but Marietta remained unable to take advantage and entered intermission trailing 30-13.

Capital once again found its stroke in the second half and pulled away to the 26-point victory. The Crusaders finished the game 25-of-52 (.481) from the floor, 4-of-13 (.308) from beyond the arc and 13-of-20 (.650) from the line. The Pioneers shot just 14-of-47 (.298) in the game, including 5-of-17 (.294) from long range to go along with 8-of-19 (.421) from the line. Capital out rebounded Marietta 38-35 and forced the Pioneers into 23 turnovers while giving the ball back 16 times.

Three Crusaders reached double figures with Steve Kyser leading the way with 12 points, while Ryan Wood and Nate Stahl each added 11 points.

Marietta was paced by senior Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) and sophomore Mike Stanek (Hartville/Marlington) with eight points each off the bench. For Stanek, it was a career high. Rucker also pulled down a team-high seven boards, as did senior guard Ryan Wilkinson (Wilmington/Clinton Massie), who also added four steals.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday (Jan. 20) when Ohio Northern visits Fenton Court for a 3 p.m. showdown. The Polar Bears won the first meeting of the year, 80-50 on December 2. Saturday will be Parents Day for the Pioneers.

Sophomore Mike Stanek had a career-high eight points Wednesday at Capital

Box Score