Ohio Northern suffered through a cold-shooting afternoon in a 78-55 men's basketball loss to No. 8-ranked Marietta on Saturday at the ONU Sports Center.
The Polar Bears (6-9 overall, 2-6 Ohio Athletic Conference) were just 20-of-70 from the floor for 28.6 percent, which included a 10-of-37 effort (27.0) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Junior Thomas Phillips ((Kenton) led three ONU players in double figures in scoring with 15 points, tying his career-high with five made 3-pointers. Freshman C.J. Napier (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) added 13 points and sophomore Brandon Waugh (Columbus/Northland) had 11 points.
The Pioneers (14-1, 8-0) had four players in double figures led by Christian James with 14 points.
MC opened the game on a 10-3 run in the first 5:27, but the Polar Bears battled back to within 20-16 with 7:51 left in the half on a 3-pointer by senior Austin Allemeier (Elida).
Marietta led 33-25 at halftime and went on runs of 7-0 and 8-0 to go up 61-41 with 10:51 left in the game.
The Pioneers were 33-of-64 from the floor for 51.6 percent and were 6-of-18 on beyond the arc for 33.3 percent. MC also won the rebounding battle 48-32.
The Polar Bears will reach the halfway points in their double round-robin OAC schedule on Wednesday with a 7 pm home contest against Otetrbein at the ONU Sports Center.
