Jeff Embrey called it Trigg County's best game of the year despite losing to Marion 67-48 in the third round of the Marion Holiday Tournament.
"They're as good a team as we'll see all year," Embrey said. "We gave them everything they wanted for 28 minutes and were down 11, but we tried to extend the floor to catch up, and they pulled away."
The game was tied at 12 after one quarter, with Marion leading 26-22 at halftime. Marion led 43-30 after three quarters and outscored Trigg 24-18 in the final frame.
Embrey said Trigg's defense was much improved as the Wildcats took six charges on defense. As has been the trend in the tournament. the teams didn't go to the free throw line much. The previous night, Trigg County and Lake County combined for 13 free throw attempts. Friday night, the teams combined for seven FT attempts.
Jonathon King led the Wildcats with 19 points, Rodney Davis added 17, and Ryan Eubanks scored six.
Dustin Knight came off the Marion bench to hit six 3-pointers and finish with a game-high 21 points.
"He was the difference in the game," Embrey said of Marion's sophomore guard.
Marion improved to 8-4 and will play Lake County for the title tonight.
Trigg County falls to 2-8 and will play twice today. The Wildcats play Union County at 12:30pm and Herrin, Ill. tonight at 6pm.
MARION HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT RECAP AND SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Lake County, Tenn. 89 Herrin, Ill. 76
Marion. Ill. 73 Union County 48
Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, Ill. 89 Trigg County 59
Thursday, Dec. 28
Lake County, Tenn. 80 Trigg County 54
Marion 66 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 36
Herrin 65 Union County 61
Friday, Dec. 29
Herrin 66 Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 61
Marion 67 Trigg County 48
Lake County, Tenn. 75 Union County 66
Saturday, Dec. 30
Marion vs. Herrin, 11 a.m.
Trigg County vs. Union County, 12:30 p.m.
Lake County, Tenn. vs. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 2 p.m.
Trigg County vs. Herrin, 6 p.m.
Union County vs. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 7:30 p.m.
Marion vs. Lake County, Tenn., 9 p.m.
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