Tigers Defeat Rams in Home Opener

Marion, AL. - Marion Military Institute started the 2017-18 basketball season 1-0 after defeating the University of Mobile's junior varsity squad at home Thursday evening, 83-53.  Getting the start in game one for MMI were five sophomores - Carlos Bell, Mikel Davis, Antony Edwards, Connor Zinaich and Victor Gray.

Zinaich scored Marion's first two points after connecting on two free throws.  He quickly followed up with two more points on an assist from Carlos Bell to give Marion an early 4-0 lead.  The Rams held close in the first few minutes of the contest until two more free throws from Zinaich gave the home team a double digit lead at the 9:36 mark (24-13).  The lead quickly jumped to 20 points when Bell connected on both of his free throw attempts with 6:39 remaining in the half.  Joshua Rathell and Andrew Reddick hit back-to-back shots right before halftime to extend the Tiger's lead to 45-19.

The second half saw the home team grow the lead to 30 points with everyone on Marion's bench seeing action.  Mikel Davis and Carlos Bell led MMI with 13 points each while Connor Zinaich scored 12 points.  Joshua Jones and Tylor Brown each contributed with eights points apiece.  Joshua Rathell and Nathan Boyd each had six points while Pate Oakley, Willie Dunbar III, and Antony Edwards finished with five points apiece.  Andrew Reddick added two points.

Marion (1-0) will host Wallace Community College Monday evening, November 6th.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the William R. Ireland Athletic Center.