Tigers Defeat Bisons at Home; Improve to 5-4 in ACCC North

Tigers Defeat Bisons at Home; Improve to 5-4 in ACCC North

Marion, AL. - After falling behind in the early minutes of Saturday afternoon's home contest against the Bisons of Southern Union State Community College, the MMI Tigers cruised to an easy 76-43 victory.  The win improved Marion's record to 14-6 overall, 5-4 in the ACCC North.

Southern Union opened the game with a three-pointer and followed with a layup to take a quick 5-0 lead.  Marion's offense didn't get on track until the 16:15 mark when Willie Dunbar III scored on an old-fashioned three point play; a layup and a free throw.  Joshua Rathell tied the game at five a piece with a pair of free throws at the 15:08 mark; Marion never surrendered the lead again.

Marion's lead grew to double digits, 22-12, when Monte Wilkerson found Josue Passius cutting to the basket for one of his team high six assists.  Southern Union was able to cut the lead to five, 25-20, with some missed shots and turnovers from the Tigers.  Mark Bradwell scored on a mid-range jumper on MMI's next possession.  Passius scored on back-to-back plays to once again put MMI up double digits, 31-20.  The Bisons scored quickly but Joshua Rathell added a quick four points and Wilkerson found Passius at the buzzer to make the 37-24 halftime score.

The Tigers came out blazing to start the second half and kept the Bisons from making a run.  With under 13 minutes to play sophomore point guard, Andrew Reddick, extended the lead to twenty (51-31) after a steal led to an easy dunk. Marion was able to cruise the rest of the way for their fourteenth win of the season.

Josue Passius led Marion with 14 points and five rebounds.  Willie Dunbar III followed with 12 points and six rebounds.  Each scoring 11 points were Joshua Rathell and Jacorey Turnipseed.  Also scoring for the Tigers were: Mark Bradwell (8), Stacy Burse (6), Andrew Reddick (4), Ladarius Carter (4), Nathan Boyd (4), and Monte Wilkerson (2).

MMI will travel to Hanceville, Alabama Monday for an ACCC North match-up against Wallace State Community College.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.