Marion, AL. – Last night's game at the William R. Ireland Athletic Center between the MMI Tigers and Cardinals of Gadsden State CC saw six ties and neither team holding a lead larger than six points. 

With GSCC taking their first lead (46-47) of the second period with under 14 minutes to play, both teams traded baskets for the next eight minutes until Kenney Gaines, Jr. tied the game at 57-57 with a drive to the basket.  Gadsden connected for a three-pointer in their next possession, but Nyrek Wheeler answered for a basket to cut the lead back to one.  An old-fashioned three-point play by the Cardinals was answered by a Jordan Long three-pointer. 

With under five minutes remaining in regulation, an offensive putback by Devin Graham gave the Tigers a 64-63 lead, but Gadsden State hit a deep three to change the lead back in their favor.  MMI would keep the game close with Jordan Long hitting two from the charity stripe and Gaines finding Derrick Hutchins, Jr. under the basket for an easy two-point play.  The Tigers were down two, 68-70, when the Cardinals answered with a two-pointer but Long once again found his range from behind the three-point arc to cut the visitor's lead back to just one.  Two free throws by GSCC extended the lead to three, 71-74, with just 14.6 seconds on the clock.  Marion could not connect from three-point range on two attempts, giving the Cardinals the win.

The Tigers finished with four players scoring in double digits: Kenney Gaines, Jr. (14), Jordan Long (14), Derrick Hutchins, Jr. (12), and Nyrek Wheeler (10).  Devin Graham added nine points off the bench.  Myles McClain (8) and Dimari Flynn (4) rounded out the scorers for Marion.

MMI (11-12, 8-8) will travel to Shelton State CC Monday, February 14, for an ACCC North re-match.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.