#16 Mount Union Runs Past Marietta; Sets Up First Place Showdown Saturday

ALLIANCE, Ohio --No. 16 ranked Mount Union made sure there was no holiday hangover as it jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never looked back in an 88-68 Ohio Athletic Conference women's basketball win over Marietta Wednesday at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.

A year ago, the nationally ranked Purple Raiders came back after a holiday layoff and were upset 73-68 at Marietta, but this year they put the game away early to move to 11-1 overall and 4-1 in the OAC.  

It sets up a first place showdown on Saturday at 3 pm at The MAAC as Mount Union hosts Ohio Northern (11-2, 5-1 OAC).

After scoring 11-straight points in the game's opening three minutes, Marietta (8-5, 3-3 OAC) rallied to close the gap to 15-10 on a Heather Booth jumper with 14:29 left in the half.  Mount Union then went on an 8-0 run over the next five minutes to go up 23-10.  The Raiders led by double digits the rest of the way.

Rosa LaMattina (Westlake/Westlake) had a game-high 21 points along with five rebounds, five assists and five steals to lead the Purple Raiders.

Amanda Rose (Green/Green) had 12 of her 18 points in the second half, Kori Wiedt (North Olmsted/North Olmsted) had 14 while Aly Daniel (Willard/Willard) had 12 off the bench as the other double figure scorers for Mount Union.

Heather Booth came off the bench with 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Marietta.