Special to the Selma Times-Journal

MARION &8212; Five players reached double figures in the scoring column for the Marion Military Institute Tigers in last nights 95-89 victory over the Lawson State Community College Cougars.

It was division win number two for MMI, which doubles its output from last season.

The Cougars controlled the game early with its offensive rebounding. They built a ten-point advantage midway through the first half.

However, MMI scratched its way back with a 15-5 run to tie the game at 34 when Gary Redus drove down the lane for a lay up and the clock reading 5:50.

Lawson State pulled to a 49-45 half time lead. Langston William netted 11 points and Eric Allen dropped in 10 points after the first 20 minutes of play

The Tiger defense kept the game manageable in the second half, as the offense traded baskets with the Cougars.

An Eric Allen basket inside to tie the game at 63-all, followed by another basket in the paint, this time from Jermaine Mallett, gave MMI its first lead since the first half with 11 minutes left to play.

In the final 11 minutes there would be four lead changes and six ties.

A Lawson State three-pointer tied the game with a little over a minute to go. But that proved to be the last points of the game for the Cougars. With the game tied at 89 and just 47 seconds to go, Maurice Bolden sank two free throws to seal the win for MMI (13-6, 2-4).

Allen, of Decatur, finished with a game high 23 points along with five assists and three steals for the Tigers. Bolden added 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Williams chipped in 17 points and four steals. Redus contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, while Mallet netted 12 points and six dishes.

Martavius Orr and Brandon Ashford led the Cougars with 19 points each.