Second half lifts Muskies past Wilmington

The Muskingum men's basketball team staged a second half comeback to topple Ohio Athletic Conference foe Wilmington Wednesday evening, 81-77.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (10-4 overall, 4-3 OAC), Wilmington (6-8 overall, 1-6 OAC)
• Location: Wilmington, Ohio - Raizk Arena

Game Notes

• The Muskies used a balanced attack landing four players in double figures.
• Sophomore Jarrell Marsh led the way tying a season-high 26 points and collected nine rebounds.
• Freshman Marcus Dempsey chipped in 19 points while dishing out three assists.
• Muskingum sophomore Devon Peart claimed 13 bench points, while senior Joshua Keyes netted 10 points and hauled in seven rebounds.
• The Muskies shot 28-for-58 (.483) from the field and registered a game-high 38 rebounds. 
• Noah Chatman led the Quakers with a team-high 14 points.
• The Quakers edged Muskingum in bench points 34-13.

First Half

• Muskingum came out firing in the first half taking the early 6-2 advantage following a layup by Keyes.
• The two teams exchanged points for several minutes before Wilmington took its largest lead of the contest with 2:16 remaining, 39-30.
• The Muskies came roaring back as Dempsey sparked an 8-0 run that cut the Quaker lead to 39-38 at the break.
• Dempsey finished the half with nine points, six coming in the final two minutes of action.

Second Half 

• The Muskies opened the second half much like the first using a 5-0 run to claim the 43-39 advantage.
• Wilmington responded knotting the score at 51-51 with 14:30 remaining following a three-pointer by Kevin Lewis.
• With 11:52 to play, Keyes connected with Marsh in the paint extending the Muskingum lead once more, 58-53.
• The Quakers never surrendered taking the 75-74 lead with under a minute remaining.
• Peart sealed the win for the Muskies at the free throw line shooting 5-for-6 in the final :25 seconds to claim the victory.

Up Next

• Muskingum returns to action Saturday, January 14 when they welcome Ohio Northern to the Anne C. Steele Center. Game time is slated for 2:00 PM.