Junior guard Ben Hodkinson (Tippecanoe/Harrison Central) had 13
while freshman forward Matt Kiger (Williamstown, WV/Williamstown)
continued his strong play off the bench with 10 points as Mount
Union snapped a seven-game road losing streak dating back to last
season to improve to 7-11 overall and 5-6 in the OAC.
Kevin Knab had 19 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as he led
three Pioneers in double figures as Marietta rallied from 15 points
down in the final nine minutes before coming up short and falling
to 8-10 overall and 4-7 in the OAC.
Marietta opened up a 7-2 lead in the game's first four minutes
before Mount Union would come back and take a 15-14 lead after a
Hodkinson jumper with 9:48 left in the period. Six lead
changes and three ties would highlight the remainder of the half
and a Hodkinson layup with just under a minute left gave Mount
Union a 30-28 lead at the half.
The Raiders opened the second half on a 9-4 surge and a Hodkinson
three-pointer made it 39-32 with 17 minutes left. Mount Union
would push the lead to as many as 15 points, 58-43, with 8:44 to
play before Marietta went on a 15-2 run over a five minute span to
close to within two, 60-58 with 3:55 to play. King would hit
a pair of late jumpers and Hodkinson a free throw, while a Marietta
made four free throws and three pointer at the buzzer was no good
as Mount Union held on for the win.
Mount Union returns home Saturday to host the OAC's first place
team in Wilmington at 3 pm at The MAAC. The game will be
broadcast on the radio on AM 1310 WDPN and simulcast online.