MARIETTA, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University men's basketball team could not recover following a first half deficit, as they fell to No. 23 Marietta College 94-72 on Saturday. Marietta shot 58% from the floor in the first half, compared to HU's 30%, aiding them to a 16-point halftime lead.

The Student Princes drop to 6-9, 2-6 in Ohio Athletic Conference play. Marietta improves to 11-4, 6-2 OAC.

Heidelberg was led by Kiere Bennie's 16 points and six rebounds. Chris Moxley (14 points) and DeAvery Collins (13 points) also reached double-figures for the Tricolor.

The teams stayed close early before Marietta used a 9-0 run to pull ahead 21-11 with 12:11 remaining in the first half.

Triples from Collins and Michael Davis cut the Marietta lead to 23-19 with 9:38 before the break. The Pioneers responded, going on an 8-0 run, extending their lead to 31-19.

The home team took a 46-30 lead into halftime.

The Pioneers kept their momentum from the first half, and held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. Marietta led by as many as 28 points in the second half.

Anthony Wallace paced Marietta with 24 points. AJ Edwards added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Pioneers.

Marietta dominated the game in the paint, outscoring HU 46-26. Heidelberg shot 36% from the floor while the Pioneers shot 53%.

Heidelberg closes out the first half of the OAC schedule when they host Ohio Northern University (8-7, 6-2) on Wednesday. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.