ALLIANCE, Ohio – Mount Union's men's basketball team defeated Muskingum 78-72 in an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup on Wednesday evening.

The Purple Raiders (11-5, 8-1 OAC) had three players score in double figures with senior Marcus Steele (Solon) leading the way with a game-high 24 points. Fifth-year Christian Parker (Canton / GlenOak) added in 23 points and sophomore Elijah Farrington (Massillon / Massillon Washington) scored 11 to round out the Raiders in double digits.

The Fighting Muskies (8-8, 6-3 OAC) were led by Duane Davis who scored a team-high 23 points and Owen Emig who added in 15.

Mount Union would jump out to a quick 6-2 lead a minute and a half into the game before Muskingum would come back to tie the game at 10 with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Both teams would trade baskets back and forth over the next several minutes before the Muskies would go on a 10-0 run over the next 2:23 of game time to take a 27-22 with 10:07 left to play in the first half. Muskingum would maintain their narrow lead over the final ten minutes of the half, with Mount Union never getting closer than one, as the Muskies would take a 46-42 lead into the halftime break.

The Raiders would slowly chip away at the Muskingum lead over the first nine and a half minutes of the second half to reclaim the lead at 56-55 with 10:30 remaining in the game. Both teams would continue to trade baskets back and forth over the next 7:17 of game time with the Muskies tying the game at 69 apiece with 3:13 left to play. Mount Union would close the game on a 9-3 run to cap off a 78-72 victory.

The Raiders hit the road next when they travel to Columbus on Saturday, January 25 to take on Capital in an OAC matchup at 3 p.m.