Marion, AL. – The Marion Military Institute men's basketball team hosted the Saints from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College yesterday evening for the first ACCC North-South crossover game of the 2021-22 season. This year the Tigers will face each ACCC North program in a home and away series, and then each ACCC South program one time. All games will count toward final conference standings.

The Tigers scored first when Kenney Gaines, Jr. found Derrick Hutchins, Jr. under the basket for an easy two-point play. The Saints quickly scored to tie the game and both teams traded baskets until freshman point guard Myles McClain saved the ball under the basket to Dimari Flynn for another easy basket; Marion went up 9-8 and never surrendered the lead. LBW stayed close until MMI went on a small run to bring the lead to double digits (23-12) when a McClain steal found Devin Graham for an old fashioned three-point play; a layup and free throw. After the Saints hit a layup at the buzzer, Marion held a 23-16 lead at the intermission.

The second half saw Jordan Long connect on a three-pointer for Marion in their first possession. After LBW matched with a three-pointer of their own, Derrick Hutchins, Jr. scored on back-to-back plays to extend the home team's lead to 19 (47-28).

At the 15:05 mark and MMI holding a 51-31 lead LBW started a run that cut into the home squad's lead. Back-to-back-to-back turnovers by the Tigers gave the Saints some momentum and they were able to bring the lead back to ten (51-41). Nyrek Wheeler ended the four-minute scoring drought for Marion when he connected on two free throws. With 11:00 to play in regulation Marion led 53-41. MMI extended the lead to 17 with under four and a half minutes to play when the Saints fought back once again to cut the lead to single digits (72-63) with under two minutes to play. Myles McClain hit free throws late to give the Tigers a 75-66 victory.

Nyrek Wheeler finished with his second double-double of the season; 17 points and 12 rebounds. He also had six blocks on the night. Kenney Gaines, Jr. added 17 points, four steals, and three assists for MMI, now 4-1 on the season. Devin Graham came off the bench with 15 points. Myles McClain rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Tigers. He had 10 points and five assists. Also scoring for Marion were Derrick Hutchins, Jr. (9), Dimari Flynn (4), and Jordan Long (3).

The Tigers will travel to Bay Minette, Alabama next Monday, November 22, for another ACCC North-South crossover game against the Sun Chiefs of Coastal Alabama Community College-South. Tip-off has been changed to 3:00 p.m.