Tigers Hand Enterprise First Loss

Tigers Hand Enterprise First Loss

Marion, AL. – Those that came to watch the Boll Weevils from Enterprise State Community College and the Tigers from Marion Military Institute Saturday afternoon definitely got their money's worth.  Multiple ties, changes in lead, and a hard-fought battle was witnessed by all in attendance.  Enterprise had defeated Marion 79-73 back on November 19, and were 7-0 coming into Saturday's game. 

The Tigers started off the game strong and jumped to an early lead.  The Boll Weevils battled throughout the first half and tied the game at 18 apiece early.  Marion once again jumped ahead, with ESCC evening the score several times before halftime.  The home squad held a two point lead at the 2:00 minute mark but were able to add to it with a layup by sophomore Miles Perdue (38-32).  Sophomore Ronnie Baylark scored the last basket before halftime, leading the Tigers to a 40-32 lead at the break.

A motivated Enterprise team came out on fire in the second half and captured the lead with back-to-back three-pointers.  Baylark's free throws and freshman Mike Nobles' layup tied the game once again at the 15:00 mark.  Nobles gave the lead back to Marion with two free throws.  The score would remain close with both teams swapping baskets and leads until Marion took the lead with nine minutes remaining in the game, a lead they would not surrender.  The Boll Weevils got within one with just over one minute remaining, but sophomore Christian Bradford scored to keep the lead at three.  A made free throw by Enterprise kept the game, and an undefeated season, within reach for the visitors.  A reverse layup by Bradford built the Tigers' lead to 82-78.  Perdue secured the rebound on a missed ESCC attempt, and sophomore Chase Garvin hit one of two from the charity stripe to extend the lead to five with 14.5 seconds remaining in the game.  A missed three point attempt by ESCC, a rebound by Baylark, and two free throws by the sophomore guard sealed the 85-78 victory for the Tigers.

Baylark led Marion with 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting.  Nobles added 14 points with 6 rebounds and Bradford scored 12 points.  Charles Tripp added nine points and five rebounds.  Quamauri Hardy and Dotson Griffin each grabbed five rebounds in the win.  Rounding out the scoring for Marion were: Hardy (7), Perdue (6), Garvin (5), Griffin (4), and Nieman Dunams (2).

MMI improves to 9-3 on the season.  They will travel to Mobile, Monday, December 7 for a rematch against Bishop State Community College.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.