Picayune defeats East Marion 65-52

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune--Picayune got balanced scoring with four players in double figures and defeated the East Marion Eagles 65-52 at

Kelly Wise Memorial Gymnasium in the final game of the Picayune Holiday Tournament.  The win pushes the Maroon Tide

record to 14-2 on the season.

David McClain made two free throws with :06 left in the first quarter to give Picayune a 17-15 lead.  The game was tied at 31-31

at the half.

Picayune jumped out to a 37-31 advantage in the first minute of the third quarter on consecutive three pointers by McClain and

Wayne Mickel.  After an Eagle time out, Ben Daly scored on an assist from Chris Dees to put the Maroon Tide up 39-31 with

6:10 left in the quarter.  East Marion rallied to cut the lead to 43-42 at the end of the quarter. 

David McClain (far left) launches a three pointer to start the second half for Picayune against East Marion.

In the fourth quarter, East Marion tied the game at 44-44 with 6:51 to play on Josh Mallory's lay up.  Picayune's Brandon

Fortenberry nailed a three pointer for a 47-44 lead, but the Eagles answered with two free throws to make it 47-46 with 6:08 left.

That's as close as East Marion would get.

Wayne Mickel sank two free throws and Jessie Ulmer scored on an offensive rebound to put the Maroon Tide up 51-46 with 5:28

left.  After an Eagle bucket, Daly scored on an assist from Fortenberry and then Fortenberry added two free throws to open up a

six point lead and the Maroon Tide began to pull away for the win.

Mickel and McClain finished with 14 points while Dees and Forteberry each tallied 13 points.  Dees also snatched 8 rebounds.

Ben Daly added 6 points and 6 caroms for Picayune.

Picayune will play three of their last five home games next week.  

On Tuesday, Bay High comes calling for a Region 8-4A game followed by Pass Christian on Friday with another region encounter. 

On Saturday, Picayune will host Columbia in non-region action.