Cardinals roasted at home by Raiders

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS — The challenge of facing Region XVI rival Three Rivers at home normally draws an increased level of inspiration and intensity from the Mineral Area College men’s basketball team.

But the energetic Raiders found numerous ways to dismantle the slumping Cardinals at both ends during a dominant second half, and silenced the home crowd on Saturday night with their comfortable 63-50 win.

Three Rivers (14-3) claimed its first victory at the Sechrest Fieldhouse since 2005 by limiting the Cardinals to a paltry 20 percent shooting after intermission, including just two made field goals over a 16-minute span.

Sophomore Jeremy Marrs controlled the paint with 18 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, and guard Marquise Carter netted 17 points for the Raiders, who converted 13-of-16 free throws of the night.

Mineral Area (10-9) generated transition baskets on seven steals during the first half to lead five separate times before its half-court offense eventually sputtered. The Cardinals finished just 2-for-16 from three-point range.

Mike Stovall finished an outlet pass from Tonye Smith and dunked a 2-on-1 lob from Brandon Hall moments later to make it 13-12. Korey McDaniel capped a subsequent 8-0 spurt with a follow tip for a 27-25 MAC margin.

The Raiders capitalized on two late turnovers, however, and carried a 35-32 edge when Carter drilled a mid-range jumper at the buzzer. Carter began the second half with a triple that sparked a pivotal 15-5 run.

Three Rivers patiently found Marrs open for an nifty spinning hook, and received an uncontested putback from the 6-foot-10 center on the ensuing trip. David Prater increased the lead to 50-37 with an athletic follow slam.

The Raiders melted the shot clock effectively as Mineral Area continued to force jumpers to no avail, and built the largest cushion of the game at 57-39 with 5:47 remaining.

Jeremy Felton scored 10 points and Gerald Fulton added nine to lead the Cardinals, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Mineral Area will host MSU-West Plains on Saturday for another region clash.

Three Rivers  35  28 - 63

Mineral Area  32  18 - 50

SCORING:

Three Rivers - Marrs 18, Carter 17, Prater 6, Carpenter 6, Terry 5, Bingham 4, Williams 3, Walker 2, Spencer 2. 3-point FG - Carter, Carpenter.

MIneral Area - Felton 10, Fulton 9, Stovall 8, Guyton 6, McCrary 5, Smith 5, Pickens 3, Hall 2, McDaniel 2. 3-point - McCrary, Smith.