ALLIANCE, Ohio -- The Mount Union women's basketball team was defeated by the Marietta College Pioneers 56-44 in the Timken Gymnasium Wednesday night for an Ohio Athletic Conference showdown.

The Purple Raiders (6-16, 3-12 OAC) were led by senior Emma Cannon (Dalton) and sophomore Dae Dae Nash (Akron/Buchtel) with eight points each.

Marietta (16-6, 11-4 OAC) were led by Paige Tolson and Olivia Gribble with 10 points apiece.

The Purple Raiders opened the first quarter on an 8-3 run sparked by sophomore Hailey Haywood (Barberton). Mount Union managed to keep their lead as they led 16-9 at the end of the first quarter.

After impressive shooting by Marietta, Mount Union was outscored 22-4. They trailed 11 points 31-20 going into halftime.

The Raiders' struggle to put the basket in the net continued as Marietta outscored Mount Union 14-7 as the score was 45-27 to close the third quarter.

Mount Union opened the fourth and final quarter by going on a 7-2 run led by Cannon and freshman Bailey Shutsa (Wadsworth/Norton) to reduce the lead to 13. The Pioneers' hot shooting brought them closer to victory as the fourth quarter comes to an end with the Pioneers winning 56-44.

Mount Union's will host Capital in the Timken Gymnasium Saturday at 2 p.m for senior day.