The Mariners came out firing on all cylinders on Saturday, but the visitors from Ukiah had the last laugh as the Mendocino College Eagles stormed back to grab an 83-74 victory from Marin. Derek Morgan led the way for Marin with 19 points, but it was not enough as the Mariners dropped their second Bay Valley Conference game of the season.
The mariners started off well, with a very efficient offense. They got contributions from all over the floor, as Derek Morgan, Joey Potts and Eric Mireri all hit shots in the early minutes. Marin got out to a small advantage, as they lead 21-19 ten minutes into the first half. Mendocino's offense proceeded to catch fire, as the visitors scored 24 points the rest of the half, to take a 43-39 lead at the end of the first period of play. Morgan and Potts led College of Marin with nine first half points each.
Mendocino maintained their lead and led 54-49 with 13:25 left on the clock. The Mariners rallied to tie the game at 60-60 and went ahead 64-60 as Potts made a layup and a pair of free throws with 6:22 left in regulation. Mendocino called a time out, and from that point forward the game was all Eagles. They blitzed the Mariners to the tune of 23 points, against just 10 by Marin. When the buzzer sounded Marin was on the wrong end of the 83-74 score line.
Morgan had another double double, as he tallied 19 points, and 16 rebounds. He added three steals and a block. Eric Mireri had 16 points and four rebounds. Potts added 15 points and 5 rebounds, and Kevin Kahriman had 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Up next for the Mariners is a road game at the College of Alameda on January 2nd.