MARIETTA, Ohio – The 5th-ranked Marietta College basketball team came out on fire in the first half, but the Heidelberg University men's basketball team had an answer. Trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half, the Student Princes battled back to trail by just seven at the break. The Berg continued to fight in the second period, getting within one possession on multiple occasions, but were unable to get over the hump as the host Pioneers escaped, dealing Heidelberg an 80-74 defeat.

KEY STATS

Marietta was shooting over 80% over midway through the first half, roaring out to a lead that was as many as 37-17 with 7:31 to play.

The Student Princes turned the ball over just three times compared to 17 for the host Pioneers.

#5 Marietta controlled the glass throughout the day, winning the rebounding margin by an overwhelming margin of 48-25.

FIRST HALF

It was not pretty early for the Student Princes, as the Pioneers jumped out to an 18-5 lead at the 14:20 mark.

Marietta continued to shoot lights out for the majority of the period, building that lead to 20 with 7:31 left until the break.

Heidelberg ended the half on a 15-3 run, ending the half with a pair of treys from Ben Jones and James Hanley to make the score 42-35 at halftime.

SECOND HALF

After a layup by Kiere' Bennie to open up the second period, Marietta went on a quick 6-0 run to make the score 48-37 with 17:52 remaining.

Back-to-back buckets by Doug Waldmannstetter and Marcquice Taylor cut the deficit all the way down to three at the 11:47 mark.

A pair of dunks by Marietta widened the margin back out to a 62-54 with 8:51 to play.

The Berg rallied back again, however, as a Shane Lee layup with 6:58 remaining made the score 62-60.

With that lead holding steady, a 3-pointer by Jones with just 2:07 pulled Heidelberg within 1, 72-71, the closest they had been since the 18:55 mark of the first half.

The Pioneers converted an old-fashined 3-point play on the ensuing possession and pulled down a crucial defensive rebound once the Berg got the ball back. Clutch free throw shooting and timely defense helped the host remain unbeaten on the season and hold on for the 80-74 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Taylor led the Student Princes with 16 points, also leading the team with five rebounds and two assists.

UP NEXT

In their fourth-consecutive road game, the Student Princes will travel to John Carroll next Wednesday, January 28th. That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Streaks defeated Heidelberg 92-62 earlier this season on December 3rd.