Fighting Scots’ Second Half Lead Vanishes in 72-57 Setback to Eighth-Ranked Pioneers

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster led No. 8 ranked Marietta College for almost the entire first half and was ahead 44-38 early in the second when the Pioneers put together a game-changing 20-2 run and they went on to prevail 72-57 during the championship game of the 53rd annual E.M. "Mose" Hole/Wooster Kiwanis Classic, played Wednesday night at Timken Gymnasium.

The programs had met up in the second round of the NCAA Div. III Championships this past March. Wednesday's rematch featured teams that have undergone quite a bit of change since then, especially Wooster (6-4), which played five newcomers among its 11-man rotation.

The Fighting Scots constructed an early 16-7 advantage, with the fast start fueled in part by Dan Fanelly, who had six points and an assist plus a steal on the defensive end.

A near-five minute scoreless stretch by Wooster helped Marietta (10-2) get right back in the game, allowing the visitors to pull within a single point. Next, the Scots built their advantage back up to as much as 24-17 before entering the halftime break ahead 33-32.

Wooster started the second half similarly to the first, as Ari Stern drained a 3-pointer and Josh Kipfer got free in the paint for a lay-in to make it 38-32. Shortly after, a Fanelly lay-up gave the Scots another six-point lead (44-38).

The game then quickly turned. Dillon Young hit a mid-range jumper, A.J. Edwards converted an old-fashioned three-point play, and Eddy Grenert connected on a 3-pointer following an offensive rebound on three of the Pioneers' next four possessions, the latter giving them their first lead (46-44) since the early moments.

Marietta continued to dictate play, with Luis Garcia and Brennan McKean adding transition lay-ups and junior post Jack Thome hitting a rare 3-pointer to make it 15 unanswered points.

Kipfer interrupted the run with a jump-hook in the paint to make the deficit 53-46, only to see the Pioneers score five more in a row for a double-digit cushion.

With the exception of one possession, it stayed that way for the rest of the game.

Statistically, Wooster shot better from the field – 38.5 percent (25-for-65) to 37.7 percent (23-for-61) – and outrebouned Marietta 43-39. The Pioneers, who connected on 10 3-pointers to the Scots' four, spent a significant amount of time at the free throw line, making 16-of-24.

Marietta point guard Dillon Young was named tournament MVP, as he followed his 20-point performance during Tuesday's comeback victory with an 11-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist, 2-steal effort against the Scots.

Edwards was defensive MVP, thanks in part to 19 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks during the championship game, while Grenert, who had 12 points, also earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

Fanelly, who accumulated 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, was the Scots' lone all-tourney team representative.

Notable for Wooster, Alex Baptiste was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor for 13 points, plus added six boards and two steals, and Kipfer contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Scots return to North Coast Athletic Conference play on Sunday afternoon when they'll host Denison University (6-4, 2-2 NCAC).