Creasap's three-pointer helps Marietta down host Adrian 66-65
Pioneers overcome nine-point deficit in final two minutes to improve to 2-0

Nov. 23, 2008
ADRIAN, Michigan — Senior standout Isaiah Creasap (Wooster/Northwestern) drilled the game-winning three-point field goal with eight seconds left to complete a nine-point comeback over the final two minutes and give the Marietta College men's basketball team a 66-65 victory over host Adrian (Mich.) College in the final game of the John Dawson Tournament on Sunday (Nov. 23) afternoon.

Second-year Head Coach Jon VanderWal's Pioneers improved its record to 2-0 on the young season. It was the program's first victory in three tries over the Bulldogs, who fell to 2-2.

Creasap was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after scoring 19 points on Sunday. The captain increased his career point total to 926 points and is now just 51 three-pointers shy of tying the Ohio Athletic Conference's all-time record of 275.

Freshman wing Joe Puch (Brunswick) and junior post Daun Lutes (New Matamoras/Frontier) joined Creasap on the All-Tournament Team. Puch finished the game with 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Lutes came just shy of a double double, adding eight points and a game-high nine rebounds. Freshman wing Trevor Halter (Malvern) added 10 points and four assists in the win.

Desmond Young paced Adrian with 28 points, while Brett Asher and Matt Wayne both contributed 14 points for the Bulldogs. Michael Staley also had seven points and 11 assists in the loss.

Marietta finished the day by shooting 26-of-52 (.500) from the field. The Pioneers were 8-of-17 (.471) from beyond the arc and added 6-of-9 (.667) from the free throw line. Marietta overcame 17 turnovers and out-rebounded Adrian, who had 13 turnovers, 31-26. The Bulldogs finished 25-of-52 (.481) from the field on Sunday. Adrian hit 2-of-9 (.222) from long range and 13-of-15 (.867) from the charity stripe.

Halter hit back-to-back three-point field goals to start the game and give Marietta a 6-0 lead. A three-pointer by Creasap and a jumper in the paint by freshman post Kevin Knab (Lakewood) helped the Pioneers increase the lead to 13-6, their biggest advantage of the day, four minutes into the action.

Adrian then went on an 11-5 run over the next 2:34 to take its initial lead of the game, 18-17, with 13:34 to play in the half. The Bulldogs led by as many as five points in the first half, but Puch closed the deficit to one point, 35-34, at halftime with a three-pointer on Marietta's last possession, which came with eight seconds left on the clock.

Adrian maintained the lead for the next 19:02, gradually extending it to as many as 12 points on two different occasions. The second gave them a 61-49 advantage with 4:50 remaining in the game. From there, Marietta began its furious rally. A tip-in by freshman post Zane Carter (Wellsville) following an offense rebound cut lead the to single digits, 61-53, with 3:55 to play.

After teams traded baskets, a pair of free throws put Adrian's lead back to nine points, 65-56, with 2:15 remaining in the game. Creasap nailed a three-pointer on Marietta's next possession. Then, Carter blocked a shot to give the ball back to the Pioneers. Freshman Rydell Chrisman (Coshocton), who pulled down the rebound, was fouled on the play and knocked down both free throws to pull his team within four points, 65-61, with 1:34 on the clock. A steal by Chrisman on the Bulldogs' ensuing possession and a fast break layup cut their lead to two points, 65-63, with 1:24 to play.

Another defensive stand gave Marietta the ball with 19 seconds to go. VanderWal called a timeout to set up his squad's last play, which had Puch find an open Creasap, who drilled the game-winner from beyond the arc with eight second left to give the Pioneers their first lead of the second half. A last-minute attempt by Adrian fell short and Marietta celebrated the dramatic victory.

Marietta will look to continue the momentum when the Pioneers travel to Delaware, Ohio, on Saturday (Nov. 29) afternoon for a match-up with Ohio Wesleyan University. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m. Marietta will then take on Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, on Sunday (Nov. 30) at 4 p.m. The pair of games is part of an Ohio Wesleyan/Kenyon Classic, which also includes Albion (Mich.) College.

Senior Isaiah Creasap hit a three-pointer with eight seconds left to give Marietta a 66-65 win over Adrian.

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