Marion, AL. – The MMI Tigers defeated Southern Union State Community College yesterday evening, 83-80, to improve their overall record to 8-5; 5-1 in ACCC play.

Marion started the game with a 5-0 run before the Bisons connected on two free throws to get on the scoreboard.  SUSCC would tie the game three times in the first half before a Nyrek Wheeler dunk with under a minute to play before intermission gave MMI a slim 37-34 lead at the half.

MMI came out strong the first few minutes of the second period and built a 43-36 lead after Kenney Gaines, Jr. connected on a mid-range jumper. The Bisons would fight back and tied the game at 43 points apiece at the 15:38 mark.  SUSCC took the lead two plays later but a three-pointer by sophomore Brandon Jackson gave the lead back to Marion.  SUSCC hit two free throws to again equal the score before Jackson connected on another long range three pointer to turn the momentum back to the home team. 

MMI kept trying to expand their lead against the feisty Bisons, but they wouldn't go away quietly.  With 4:42 remaining in regulation, Myles McClain made two free throws to give the Tigers a 70-66 lead.  McClain scored on MMI's next possession; Tigers now up six.  After a Bison timeout, they cut the lead back to three, 74-71, when Devin Graham drove the lane; lead back to five points.  A quick score by Southern Union and a foul by the Bisons sent Derrick Hutchins, Jr. to the free throw line where he made one of two; Tigers up 77-73.  Marion fouled on the Bison's next possession and after a made free throw and an offensive rebound by SUSCC, the Tigers held a slim one-point lead (77-76).  A turnover by MMI gave the visitors from Wadley, Alabama an opportunity to take the lead but Kenney Gaines, Jr. secured the rebound and was fouled.  The sophomore guard made two free throws to give Marion a 79-76 lead.  SUSCC scored on a layup on the next possession.  Gaines saw himself again at the charity stripe on MMI's next possession and connected on both attempts to extend the lead back to three, 81-78.  Another quick score by the Bisons closed their deficit to one point but two more free throws by Gaines put the lead back to three points.  Gaines finished the game with a key blocked shot on a Bison three-point attempt.

Kenney Gaines, Jr. led Marion with 28 points, including 9-for-10 from the free throw line.  Devin Graham added 17 points and Brandon Jackson came off the bench for 12 points.  Nyrek Wheeler and Derrick Hutchins, Jr. each added 10 points in the win.  Rounding out the scoring for MMI was Myles McClain (4) and Dimari Flynn (2)