Guilford College Quakers roll and take the “O” out of Ohio

No “O” in Ohio and you’ve got hi and it was hi and goodbye Buckeye as the Guilford College Quakers made quick work of the competition up in the Buckeye State this week….

MARIETTA, Ohio – Clay Henson (Glen Alpine, N.C./Freedom) hit seven three-pointers and scored a game-high 23 points in Guilford College’s 82-60 win over Marietta College in Wednesday’s championship game of the 39th annual Marietta Shrine Tournament. Tournament MVP Tyler Sanborn (Mount Airy, N.C./Elkin) added 21 points and a game-best 11 boards for his ninth double-double of the season.

Guilford (10-1), winners of six straight, is ranked sixth in the current D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.

The host Pioneers (4-7) knocked down seven first-half three-pointers to grab a 32-27 halftime edge. Trevor Halter hit three of the trifectas and scored 13 of his team-high 19 points in the opening frame.

A Sanborn dunk-plus-one 3:35 into the second half tied the game for the fourth and final time and gave Guilford the lead for good. The traditional three-point play also triggered an 18-4 Quakers’ run that opened a 60-46 edge with 9:24 to play. Guilford shot just under 53 percent from the floor in the second half and outscored the hosts, 50-23, in the period.

Guilford’s Rhett Bonner (Yadkinville, N.C./North Forsyth (Presbyterian)), who joined Henson and Sanborn on the all-tournament team, scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half. He also dished out a game-high five assists and had two steals.

Halter and Kevin Knab (6 points, 9 rebounds) were Marietta’s all-tournament picks. Teammate Jacob Owens scored 12 points on four three-pointers for the Pioneers. After shooting 50 percent from three-point land in the first half, Marietta made two-of-13 second-half trifectas.

The Quakers are back in action Jan. 6 at Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival Lynchburg College next Wednesday (1/6) at 7:00 p.m.