Tigers Improve to 7-2
Marion, AL. - The Marion Military Institute Tigers earned their seventh win Saturday afternoon, defeating the Warhawks of Coastal Alabama CC-East, 75-61. They will travel to Andalusia Monday evening for a rematch against LBW before hosting Enterprise State CC Saturday, December 3. Saturday's tip is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in the William R. Ireland Athletic Center.
The Tigers and Warhawks traded baskets for the first few minutes of Saturday's game before Marion took their first lead at the 10:15 mark. The 14-10 lead quickly jumped to double digits off a basket by freshman Joshua Rathell. Tylor Brown added a two-pointer and Rathell followed with another basket to build a 25-10 lead. Coastal Alabama fought hard to keep the game close. That, and multiple turnovers by the home squad, allowed the Warhawks to cut into the Tiger's lead before halftime. Marion carried a slim one-point lead, 33-32, into the break.
The turnovers that plagued MMI in the first half carried into the second period and the Tigers surrendered their lead at the 17:07 mark. Freshman Josue Passius gave the lead back to Marion two minutes later, connecting on two free throws. After Marion gave up an easy offensive rebound, Passius scored again to give MMI the lead back; this time for good. Marion extended their lead to double digits with less than twelve minutes remaining in regulation on an Antony Edwards' layup. The Warhawks kept fighting but couldn't get any closer then eight points. With five and a half minutes to play, sophomore Carlos Bell scored on an offensive rebound to make the score 61-51 and then followed it up with a charge on the defensive end to stop any momentum from the visiting Warhawks. Andrew Reddick assisted Connor Zinaich on a two point play and Coastal Alabama was forced to go into a full court press. Edwards drove for another two point basket. He was followed by Zinaich to extend theTiger's lead back to 14. After trading baskets with the Warhawks, Edwards slammed in the final two points, and the Tigers secured their seventh win of the season.
Joshua Rathell led Marion with 15 points, 13 coming in the first half. Zinaich scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He also had four steals and five blocks. Edwards added 13 points with four assists. Tylor Brown scored 11 points off the bench while Carlos Bell added nine points and a team high nine rebounds. Rounding out the scoring for MMI were: Mikel Davis (4), Josue Passius (4), Victory Gray (3), Andrew Reddick (2), and Sean Sykes (2).