'Berg Falls to Pioneers
The Heidelberg College women’s basketball team failed, despite a late rally, to defeat Marietta College, who won 61-56. The Pioneers win snapped a 33-game Ohio Athletic Conference slide and marked the first win for team in conference since Feb. 11, 2006. Heidelberg drops to 9-12 overall and 4-10 in the OAC, while Marietta improves to 4-16 overall and 1-13 in the OAC.
Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, only scoring a combined 40 points in the first 20 minutes. Marietta’s defense proved to be a problem for Heidelberg, as the Berg shot only 7-of-32 (.219) from the field in the first half.
Marietta jumped out quickly in the second half, stretching its lead to as much as 17, 39-22, with 12:32 remaining in the game. Heidelberg started its comeback from there, as its full-court press caused the Pioneers to make costly turnovers. Those turnovers slowly turned into Heidelberg points, as the Student Princes would cut the lead down to two, 58-56, with less than a minute remaining. With a 59-56 lead and less than 30 seconds left, Marietta was able to stop the final attempts by the Student Princes. A pair of free throws from Marietta’s Nikki Driscoll sealed the win, 61-56.
For Heidelberg, Amanda Campbell (Pataskala, Ohio / Watkins Memorial) provided well rounded play, earning a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) hit a double-double during the game, sinking 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as well. Meanwhile, Justine Pagenhardt led the game for Marietta with 24 points, while Amanda Carraher scored 15 points. Natalie Jackson and Jamie Beckett both collected 10 rebounds during the contest.
Heidelberg tips off next at home against John Carroll on Wednesday, February 13. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.