MARIETTA, Ohio — Junior MVP Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood) posted another double-double to lead Marietta College to a 79-68 victory over Maryville College and win the 40th annual Marietta Shrine Tournament, sponsored by Dixie Sporting Goods and the Holiday Inn, Saturday (Nov. 20) afternoon at Ban Johnson Arena.

The Pioneers (3-0) turned up their defensive intensity and received balance scoring en route to capturing its 18th Shrine Tournament title overall and third in the last four seasons.

Junior Joe Puch (Brunswick/Brunswick) and sophomore Brian Crader (Thornville/Sheridan) spear-headed a defense that held preseason All-American Eryk Watson to just seven points, one day after he lit up Fenton Court with 41 points.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Kevin Knab (Lakewood/Lakewood), who has now recorded a double-double in all three games this season, scored 13 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, while junior Trevor Halter (Malvern/Malvern) paced the scoring with 17 points and freshman Tyler Hammond (Cleveland/St. Ignatius) added 15 points. In addition, Puch and sophomore All-Tournament selection Jacob Owens (Mansfield/Mansfield) contributed eight points in the victory.

Dustin Baxter scored a game-high 11 points for Maryville (1-2). Maverick Willett and Lucas Woodruff both had nine points, Cory Cheek and Milton Stanley added eight points and All-Tournament selections Watson and Brandon McGill finished with seven points in the loss.

Marietta took the lead for good midway through the first half and entered intermission with a 42-35 advantage. The Pioneers built their lead to as many as 16 points in the second half before securing the 11-point victory.

The Pioneers, who are 3-0 for the first time since 2003-04, will look to remain undefeated when they play host to Carnegie Mellon (Pa.) University Tuesday (Nov. 23) night at 7:30 p.m.