Marion, AL. – The MMI men's basketball team clawed their way back from a double-digit deficit in the second half to defeat the Cougars of Lawson State Community College last night in overtime, 90-89.

MMI took an early 18-5 lead in the first half after Kenney Gaines, Jr. hit a jumper to start a fourteen-point run.  Jordan Long connected on a three-pointer and Derrick Hutchins, Jr. scored on back-to-back offensive rebounds.  Nyrek Wheeler hit a three-pointer before Lawson State followed with a deep three point shot to end their scoring drought.  After a pair of missed free throws by LSCC, Hutchins collected another offensive rebound to extend the Tigers' lead to twelve, 20-8.  After a Lawson State timeout, they found some momentum and started cutting into MMI's lead.  With 7:10 remaining in the first period, the Cougars hit a three-pointer and tied the game at 26 points apiece.  Marion took the lead back on their next possession, but LSCC hit another deep three-point basket in their last possession before the break.  Lawson held a 41-40 lead at intermission.

The Tigers came out of the locker room flat and allowed the Cougars to build a lead.  With under nine minutes remaining in regulation the visitors from Birmingham held a double-digit lead.  A timeout by Marion allowed the Tigers to regroup and find another run.  With Lawson holding a 70-76 lead Jordan Long hit a jumper to cut the lead to four points.  After a defensive stop, Gaines hit a three pointer to close the gap.  Another defensive stop by Marion and an offensive rebound by Dimari Flynn cut the lead to just two points, 77-79.  Flynn got a steal on Lawson's next possession and sophomore Brandon Jackson hit from behind the three-point line to give MMI their first lead of the second half, 80-79, with 1:10 on the clock.  A free throw by Lawson tied the game and neither team could capitalize on the offensive end, sending the game into overtime.

The Cougars scored first before Wheeler scored from the block to keep the score even.  After LSCC hit two free throws Wheeler scored again under the basket; score was 86-86.  Lawson hit one of two free throws to take a one-point lead when Flynn grabbed an offensive rebound and scored, giving MMI a slim one-point lead, 90-89.  After a defensive stop MMI turned the ball over to the Cougars.  Multiple defensive stops by the Tigers in Lawson's final attempt ended with a defensive rebound by Flynn.

Kenney Gaines, Jr. led the Tigers with 33 points.  Nyrek Wheeler followed with 22 points and a strong showing, nine of ten, from the charity stripe.  Jordan Long scored 12 and Derrick Hutchins, Jr. added 10 points before fouling out late in the game.  Brandon Jackson (9) and Dimari Flynn (4) gave Marion some strong minutes off the bench.

MMI improves to 9-8 overall, 6-4 in ACCC play.  The Tigers will travel to Boaz, Alabama this Thursday, January 27, to face the Parsons of Snead State Community College for another ACCC North match-up.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.