Tigers 9-4 in ACCC After Home Win Against Bevill State
Marion, AL. – After starting the game with an administrative technical foul, the MMI Tigers took a 1-0 lead before tip-off last night and never surrendered the lead to the Bears of Bevill State CC, defeating them by a score of 93-75. Marion improves to 9-4 in ACCC play and will travel to Andalusia, Alabama Monday, February 17, for a rematch against the Saints of Lurleen B. Wallace CC.
Kamari Slaughter scored the first field goal for the Tigers, and he was followed up by Katayvon Jefferies who connected for a three-pointer; Marion held an early 6-0 lead before BSCC scored.
The Bears would battle throughout the first half, keeping the score close until the last three minutes before halftime when MMI went on a small run and built their lead to double digits. Jefferies was fouled on a three-point attempt and after making all three from the charity stripe, MMI held a 39-30 at intermission.
Bevill State turned the ball over in their first possession of the second half and Slaughter hit a three-pointer to extend the Tiger's lead back to double digits, 42-30. The next four minutes saw BSCC put together a run and get within five points, 44-39, but after a media timeout MMI refocused and extended the lead back to double digits. Halfway through the half the Bears had a shot clock violation and Malik Owens putback a Marion miss; Marion led 65-52.
A twenty-point lead at the 4:50 mark for the home team was dropped to thirteen but free throws by Darrin Thompson Jr. and a jumper by Owens brought the lead back to seventeen. Xavier Butler hit the Tigers final shot, giving them their ninth win in conference play.
Jaquavious Wallace led Marion with 21 points coming off the bench. Katayvon Jefferies added 16 points while Raylan Barrion and Malik Owens each scored 13 points. Thompson Jr dished out a team high nine assists with 12 points. Kamari Slaughter grabbed a team high eight rebounds and added 11 points and five assists. Jacob Cooper (5) and Xavier Butler (2) rounded out the scoring for MMI.