MARIETTA, Ohio – Mount Union's men's basketball team, ranked No. 8 in the nation lost to nationally ranked No. 2 Marietta in the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship Game 63-61 on Saturday night.
The Purple Raiders (23-4, 14-3 OAC) had three players score in double figures, with sophomore
Christian Parker (Canton / GlenOak) leading the way with a 19-point, 13 rebound double-double. Senior
Braedon Poole (McDonald) and junior
Chris Painter Jr. (Akron / St. Vincent-St. Mary) scored 14 and 11 respectively.
The Pioneers (25-2, 17-0 OAC) were led by Lukas Isaly and Jason Ellis who scored 19 and 18 respectively.
Mount Union jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 18:10 remaining in the first half. The Raiders would maintain their lead over the next eight minutes before a quick 6-2 run by Marietta cut the lead down to four with 7:54 remaining in the half. Mount Union would answer with back-to-back baskets by Poole and senior
Ethan Stanislawski (Massillon / Jackson) to push the Raiders lead back to nine with 6:10 remaining in the first half. The Pioneers would go on a 15-6 run over the final 5:56 of the first half to tie the game at 29 going into the halftime break.
Marietta and Mount Union opened the second half trading baskets back and forth, before a three pointer by Ellis sparked a 12-4 Pioneer run over the next seven minutes to give Marietta a 53-44 lead with 8:18 remaining. The Pioneers would be able to maintain their lead over the next five minutes before a Parker three sparked an 8-0 run over the next 2:19 to cut the lead down to one with 1:01 remaining in the game. However, the Raider weren't able to recapture the lead and Marietta would go on to win 63-61.
The NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament Selection Show will take place on Monday, February 28 at 12:30 p.m., where the Raiders will find out if they will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
