Tigers Defeat North American University at Home
Marion, AL. - Fresh off their Thanksgiving break, the MMI men's basketball team improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating the North American University Stallions Sunday afternoon by a score of 84-63. After shaking off some rust, Marion took their first lead 4-2 after Joshua Rathell scored on a drive to the basket. Rathell followed with back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead to 10-2. The Tiger's lead extended to double digits, 24-14, after a Jacorey Turnipseed steal led to a layup by sophomore Josue Passius. Although the Stallions would try to stay within reach during the first half, Marion took a 44-29 lead into halftime.
Joshua Rathell started MMI's second scoring with two free throws after a technical foul was called on a Stallion player. That extended the lead to 17 points before a three-pointer from North American University cut it back to 14; that was the closest the visitors from Texas would get in the game. With under five minutes to play in regulation, freshman Jaylen Bartley connected on a jumper to make the score 79-58. The Tigers cruised the rest of the way and extended their win streak to six games.
Rathell led Marion with 22 points. Josue Passius and Ladarius Carter had 19 and 13, respectively. Sophomore Willie Dunbar III added 10 points. Rounding out the scoring for MMI were: Nathan Boyd (8), Stacy Burse (6), Jacorey Turnipseed (2), Quavon Blackwood (2), and Jaylen Bartley (2).
The Tigers will travel to Enterprise, Alabama Thursday, November 29, to take on the Boll Weevils of Enterprise State CC. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.