Tigers Advance to Semi-Finals of ACCC Tournament
Marion, AL. – The MMI Tigers have earned a spot in the Semi-Finals of the ACCC Tournament after defeating the Boll Weevils of Enterprise State Community College yesterday evening by a score of 90-89.
The first five minutes of Monday's quarterfinals game saw the Boll Weevils take an early lead, but MMI was able to tie the game at the 15:50 mark in the first half. The next three minutes saw the Tigers build their lead to double digits when Dashley Estime hit a three pointer from the right wing: MMI up 20-10. The home team was able to extend their lead to 14 (32-18) before Marion's offense went on a scoring drought and ESCC cut the lead back to single digits with under five minutes to play before intermission. After Aidan Driggers hit two free throws, Enterprise State hit two from the charity stripe to cut the lead to four, 39-35. The Boll Weevils scored on their next possession and cut the lead to just two points before Nicholas Cham drained a three-pointer from the left corner to give the Tigers a 42-37 lead at halftime.
The first three minutes of the second half saw ESCC cut the lead to one point twice and then evened the score at 49 points apiece at the 15:34 mark. Cham connected for an old-fashioned three-point play and Jaylen Carrington made two free throws to give the home team some breathing room. As in the first half MMI extended their lead to double digits before the Boll Weevils put together several runs to cut into the lead and keep the game within reach.
With just under five minutes to play, ESCC hit one of two free throws and then took advantage of a couple miscues by the Tiger's offense and cut the Tiger's lead to just two points, 80-78. After a back and forth exchange the Boll Weevils tied the game with under three minutes to play in regulation. A timeout by Marion's head coach Timothy Rodgers led to an unplanned turnover by MMI and Enterprise State scored to take their first lead since early in the first half.
A Jaylen Carrington three-pointer gave the home team the lead back but a timeout by the Boll Weevils led to a layup by the visitors; MMI up 87-86. After two misses at the free throw line from Marion gave ESCC the opportunity to use some clock and regain the lead. The Boll Weevils connected on a layup plus free throw to give them the two-point lead with 8.0 seconds on the clock.
Carrington received the inbounds pass and drove the length of court, hitting a layup while getting fouled sending the freshman guard back to the charity stripe with just 1.4 seconds to play. Carrington drained the attempt, and the Boll Weevils could not get a good look at the basket, giving the Tigers the one-point victory.
Jaylen Carrington led Marion with 25 points while Nicholas Cham added 21 points, six assists, and three steals. Tyrone Wright added another double-double, 14 points and 11 rebounds. Also scoring for the Tigers was Dashley Estime (14), Aidan Driggers (9) Jahmar Brown (4), and Jamarion Ezell (3).
Marion will travel to Mobile, Alabama Friday, March 1, to play Snead State Community College in the Semi-Finals of the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament. Games will be played at Bishop State Community College.