Related links: AJ Dixon postgame interview  |  Watch on YouTube!

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University men's basketball team dropped an 85-73 decision on Wednesday night to No. 3 Marietta College.

The two teams went back and forth in the first 13 minutes of the game as the Pioneers led Capital 18-15.

Aj Dixon (Hilliard, Ohio) took matters into his own hands as he tied the game with a 3-point shot. After Marietta answered with a layup, Dixon hit two consecutive 3-point jumpers to help the Crusaders jump out to a 24-20 lead.

However, the lead was erased quickly as the Pioneers scored the next eight points, capped by Stephen Garrett's three-ball. Marietta made two 3-pointers at the end of the half to take a 39-30 lead into intermission.

Capital started the second half with an 8-3 run to narrow the deficit to 42-38. Andrew Bolka (Xenia, Ohio) scored four points during the run. At the 11:51 mark, a 3-pointer from Brennan Czuchran (Rayland, Ohio) kept the game close, with the Crusaders trailing 52-48.

Marietta pulled away for good as it used an 11-1 run that ended with two 3-point jump shots from Raneal Ewing.

Dixon led all scorers with a season-high 26 points. The junior guard was 9-for-17 (.529) from the field and was 50 percent from the arc, shooting 4-for-8. Tyrel Jackson (Dublin, Ohio) and Bolka also posted double-digit scoring marks, scoring 14 and 10, respectively.

The Pioneers had two players score at least 20 points. Ewing led the way with 24 points. Stephenson recorded a double-double, registering 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Marietta proved to be more efficient shooting the ball, finishing the contest, shooting 35-for-55 (.636) compared to Capital's 30-for-67 (.448). The Pioneers were also 12-for-20 (.600) from 3-point range, while Capital was 8-for-20 (.400). The Crusaders' biggest advantage came in the paint where they outscored Marietta 32-30.

Capital's next action will be on the road, at John Carroll on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.