WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A huge run by Marietta to close the first half created too much of a gap against Otterbein in conference play Wednesday night, as the Pioneers notched a split in the season series after a much-closer finish earlier this season.

The Pios, ending the first half on a wild 21-0 run, run their winning streak to eight game and remain second in the OAC regular-season standings. Otterbein remains in sixth place despite the loss.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• Marietta only led 15-11 after the first quarter when Katie McCrary beat the buzzer with a driving layup for the Cards, who then tied the score (21-21) on a Claire Radabaugh three-pointer from the right wing midway through the second.
   
• The Pioneers then erupted with a lopsided stretch, ripping off three touchdowns in what concluded with Olivia Gribble nailing her third trifecta of the period (at the buzzer) from halfcourt.
   
• Gribble began the second half with yet another triple, and the doors were officially blown off throughout a marathon third quarter that featured 19 combined fouls. Both sides traded possessions in the fourth.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Marietta shot 47% for the game compared to 31% on the home side.
   
• Gribble led the visitors with 18 points while [Paige Tolson, reigning OAC Player of the Week, added 15 off the bench.
   
• The game featured 50 free throws in all, with Marietta going 24 of 27 and Otterbein hitting 16 of 23.
   
• Marietta held a 19-4 edge in scoring on the fast break.

UP NEXT:

The Cards get back on the road to close the week, looking to earn a split themselves in the 2023-24 series with Muskingum after a 55-50 defeat last month. Tip from New Concord will be 2 p.m.