College of Marin ventured to Marysville to face off against perennial BVC contender Yuba College on Tuesday evening. The game was a dog fight, and when the dust settled the Mariners found themselves on the wrong side of a three point game. Free throws decided the game in the final seconds as the Mariners fell 77-74.
Marin led 74-73 when a Yuba attacker drew a questionable foul. The shooter went to the line and converted both free throws 75-74. To add injury to insult, Head Coach Scott Thom was whistled for a technical foul, granting two more free throws to Yuba. With a three point deficit the Mariners had a chance to tie, but the shot rimmed out as the Mariners fell.
It was a closely contested first half as neither team gained any separation from the other. Garrick Sherrod was a sharp shooter for the Mariners with 16 points in total including a perfect 4-4 from three point range. Marin held a small advantage at halftime, but were unable to extend it much further.
The second half was much like the first, both Marin and Yuba hit key shots to keep the game close as both teams were evenly matched throughout. Down the stretch, Yuba got to the line and made free throws which proved to be the difference in the game.
Marin nearly doubled up the Yuba on free throw attempts 29-15 but shot only 62% while Yuba shot 80% from the charity stripe.
Derek Morgan had a game high 19 points for the Mariners and added seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Eric Mireri had 15 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists.
Next up for the Mariners is a home date on Thursday, January 11th against Contra Costa with tipoff scheduled for 5:30PM.