Tigers Come Back to Defeat Enterprise at Home
Marion, AL. (11/5/18) – Making its regular-season home opener under head coach Philip Stitt, the Marion Military Institute men's basketball team saw four players score in double figures as it claimed a 72-66 victory over Enterprise State CC Monday night at the William R. Ireland Athletic Center.
The Tigers improved their record to 2-0, while ESCC saw its record move to 0-3.
Sophomore Josue Passius led Marion with 17 points while sophomore guard Ladarius Carter added 11. Sophomore guard Andrew Reddick and freshman guard Quavon Blackwood each finished with 10.
How It Happened (First Half):
MMI, which trailed by a 4-0 margin at the start of the game, quickly tied the game with a basket by Nathan Boyd, assisted by Quavon Blackwood. Boyd followed with another two-point basket to give MMI their first lead of the game. Leading 13-7 at the 13:34 mark, the Tigers gave the Boll Weevils ample opportunity to cut into their lead. Marion kept the lead until the 5:26 mark when Enterprise scored on a layup to give them the 21-23 advantage. Ladarius Carter tied the game on MMI's next possession but back-to-back layups by ESCC gave the visitors the momentum needed. They extended the lead to 25-39 until Quavon Blackwood scored two points at the buzzer. ESCC led 27-39 at half time.
How It Happened (Second Half):
Josue Passius scored Marion's first basket of the second half and was followed by a blocked shot from Nathan Boyd to get the Tigers a much needed defensive stop. Marion slowly cut into the Boll Weevil's lead and a Blackwood layup with a little over 10 minutes to play gave the home squad a slim one-point lead, 51-50. Stacy Burse got a steal on the visitor's next possession and two free throws by Blackwood extended the lead to three. Enterprise would not go away even after the Tigers built a nine-point lead with 1:58 on the clock. ESCC cut the lead to 64-60, connecting from the free throw line and behind the 3-point arc. After back-to-back three pointers by the visitors, sophomore Mark Bradwell secured a rebound and was fouled with a chance to put the game away. He connected on one of two from the charity stripe to give Marion a 70-66 lead. Passius added two more free throws to give the Tigers the 72-66 victory.
Also contributing to the win were: Mark Bradwell (9), Joshua Rathell (8), Nathan Boyd (5), and Jacorey Turnipseed (2).
The Tigers will play at home this Friday at 5:00 p.m. against the University of Mobile JV squad.