The Pioneers (7-9, 2-7 OAC) could not put away the Muskies early in the game, as Muskingum (8-8, 4-5 OAC) hung around before finally capturing the lead for good with a lay-up by Cole Pittis (Ulhrichville/Claymont) with 2:59 to play.
Marietta led by as many as six points in the first frame and entered the locker room with a 32-30 advantage. After tying the score at 39-39, Muskingum went on a 12-to-4 run to build a 51-43 lead with 9:49 to remaining.
The Pioneers battled back to even the score at 62-62 with just under three minutes to play before Pittis' lay-up put the Muskies up by two. As a result, Muskingum was able to hold on to the 69-64 win.
Muskingum finished the night 26-of-53 (49.1%) from the floor, while Marietta went 23-of-49 (46.9%). The Pioneers shot 5-of-14 (35.7%) from long range and 13-of-17 (76.5%) from the line. The Muskies made 6-of-16 (37.5%) three pointers and 11-of-15 (73.3%) free throws in the win. The Pioneers were out rebounded 32-to-26 on the evening.
Pittis led the Muskies in scoring with a game-high 22 points. He also added five boards and six assists.
Cody Lane (Gallipolis/Gallia Academy) paced Marietta with 17 points, while Matt Hines (Waverly/Eastern Pike) and Scott Laslo (Gahanna/Lincoln Academy) added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Laslo also collected six boards, two blocks and three assists.
The Pioneers will begin their second half the OAC schedule on Saturday (Jan. 24) when they travel to Ohio Northern to battle the Polar Bears. Marietta will look for the season sweep, with game time slated for 3 p.m.