Feb. 7, 2007
NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Four Pioneers reached double figures, but a 3-of-16 first half proved costly Wednesday (Feb. 7) evening as the Marietta College men's basketball team fell on the road to Muskingum, 64-58. [Box Score]

The win improves the Fighting Muskies' record to 11-10 overall and 5-10 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Marietta drops to 5-17, 1-14 in league play.

In a first half where points were hard to come by, Marietta managed to hit just three field goals. All came from three-point range. Senior Eric Lechlitner (Seven Hills/Normandy) connected on a pair of early three-pointers to give Marietta a 7-5 lead 4:31 into the game. The Pioneers' next field goal, however, did not come until 7:52 left in the half (7:37 later), when sophomore Tyler Morando (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central) scored a three-pointer to make the score 17-11.

Muskingum, fortunately managed just 25 points in the first 20 minutes and took a 25-15 lead into the locker room.

With Muskingum leading 36-32 midway through the final frame, the Pioneers hit five three pointers over a three-minute span to claim a 44-42 advantage with 8:36 left in the game.

The Muskies broke a 53-53 tie when Andrew Chonko hit a pair of free throws with just under four minutes to go. The score was tied again, 55-55, with 2:06 on the clock, but Chonko scored back-to-back lay-ups to put Muskingum ahead by four points with 53 seconds left. The Muskies then connected on 5-of-6 from the line to avoid the upset and secure the 64-58 victory.

Marietta finished the game 18-of-48 (.375) from the floor, 10-of-22 (.455) from long range and 12-of-20 (.600) from the line. The Pioneers, who were out rebounded 40-31, turned the ball over 11 times while forcing the Muskies into eight turnovers. Muskingum shot 20-of-54 (.370) from the field, 7-of-19 (.368) from deep and 17-of-20 (.850) from the line.

Brandon Todd led Muskingum with a game-high 22 points, while Jeremy Ady added 13 and Andy Glass had 11.

Marietta was paced by sophomore Isaiah Creasap (Wooster/Northwestern) with 14 points. Morando added 11 and seniors Ryan Wilkinson (Wilmington/Clinton Massie) and Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) each contributed 10 points. Junior Kyle Reed (Burbank/Northwestern) led the Pioneers in rebounding, pulling down nine boards.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday (Feb. 10) when they play host to John Carroll in game two of a men's and women's OAC doubleheader on Marietta's Winter Weekend. The women will tip-off at 1 p.m. and the men will get underway at 3:30 p.m.

Sophomore Tyler Morando had 11 points in Wednesday's loss to Muskingum

Box Score