ALLIANCE, Ohio – Mount Union senior duo of Elena Rauhe (Seven Hills / Padua Franciscan) and Brianna Gassman (Minerva) both scored big in the second half to rally Mount Union to a 73-66 win over Marietta in an Ohio Athletic Conference game at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

Down 33-24 at halftime, Rahue scored 18 of her game-high 24 and Gassman scored 16 of her career-high 18 in the second half to lead the Purple Raiders to their sixth straight win as they are now 6-4 in the conference and 6-4 overall. Both were honored in a pre-game ceremony along with fellow senior Sarah Turley (Sagamore Hills / Nordonia).

Mount Union also got 10 points each from sophomore Emma Cannon (Dalton) and junior Corenna Maynard (Chagrin Falls / Kenston).

Marietta (5-5, 5-5 OAC) had three in double figures led by 15 from Olivia Gribble and 13 points, 10 rebounds from Erin Hahn.

The Pioneers had an early 5-1 lead as Mount Union did not hit its first field goal until a Maynard layup almost four minutes into the game to make it 5-3. Mount Union took its first lead at 10-8 on a Katie Clark (Cuyahoga Falls / Walsh Jesuit) three pointer with 1:45 left and the Raiders led 15-13. 

A pair of Emma Cannon (Dalton) free throws gave the Raiders a 20-17 lead with just under five minutes to play in the second quarter but the Raiders were outscored 16-4 for the rest of the half and trailed 33-24 at the break.

Cannon and Gassman started the second half with back to back buckets before a pair of Rauhe three pointers gave Mount Union 10-straight points and a 34-33 lead. There were two ties and three lead changes before a Kelly Levering layup put Marietta in front, 42-39 with 3:39 in the third quarter. The Raiders would finish the quarter on an 11-4 surge that was capped by a Gassman layup as she scored 12 in the quarter and Mount Union led 50-46 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Gassman then started the fourth quarter with a three pointer and a pair of Cannon free throws pushed the lead to nine, 55-46. to push the lead to seven, 53-46. Mount Union kept Marietta at arm's length away for the rest of the game as the Pioneers got to within four, 70-66 in the final minute but Maynard went 3-of-4 from the line to ice the victory. 

Mount Union wraps up the regular season with a home-and-home series with Muskingum next weekend, hosting the Muskies Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Alliance followed by a game Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in New Concord.