Lady Pioneers take Quakers to the limit, but Wilmington escapes with 72-58 win

Dec. 30, 2004
WILMINGTON, Ohio - The Lady Pioneers took the floor this afternoon (Dec. 30) against Wilmington, last season's DIII National Champions, looking to score their biggest upset in years. Marietta gave the Quakers all that they could handle, but were unable to stop a late run that secured the 72-58 victory in favor of the Quakers.

Marietta (2-7, 0-4 OAC), who had not played a game since Dec. 11, battled hard all afternoon against the Quakers (9-2, 4-0 OAC). The Pioneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead behind a three-point jumper from senior Beth Bakos (Clayton/Northmont) and a jumper from junior Tabi Taylor (New Matamoras/Frontier). Wilmington was able to build a seven-point lead, 26-19, with 3:19 to play, but a jumper by freshman Justine Pagenhardt (Oakland, MD/Southern Garrett) sent Marietta to the half trailing by just three, 28-25.

The Quakers opened the second frame with a 11-2 run, but MC chipped away to pull within one, 51-50, with 5:55 to play in the contest. Wilmington once again was able to put together another run and the Pioneers ran out of gas, resulting in the Quakers' 72-58 win.

Senior Rebecca Tokodi (Marietta/Parkersburg Catholic (WV)) led Marietta with 11 points, nine boards and four blocks, while senior Katie Moriarty (North Canton/Hoover) added 10 points and four steals and Pagenhardt finished with nine in the loss.

Wilmington was led by Courtney Balser with 19 points and seven rebounds. Senior Siobhan Zerilla added 13 points and 12 boards and Erica Smith scored 11 in the win.

MC finished 21-of-49 (42.9%) from the floor, but just 4-of-16 (25.0%) from long range and 12-of-23 (52.2%) from the line. Wilmington won the battle on the boards 45 to 28 and shot 30-of-67 (44.8%) from the floor in the win.

The Lady Pioneers return to action Wednesday (Jan. 5) when they visit Muskingum for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Fighting Muskies.

Senior Rebecca Tokodi finished with a team-high 11 points and nine boards against Wilmington

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