Friday's game had a familiar feel for the College of Marin Mariners. Marin fought hard and took a 46-37 lead at halftime. The mariners began the second half with a dominate run of play, and built a double digit advantage with under ten minutes left on the clock. Unfortunately, Marin ran out of gas, as the visiting College of Alameda Cougars rallied and defeated the Mariners in final minute 78-76.
Alameda began the game with an 8-4 run, but Marin kept it close and took their first lead of the game as Chris Kress knocked down a three pointer to make the score 13-12 Mariners. The game stayed quite close as both teams kept the score within a possession or two and were tied at 31-31 with five minutes left in the first half. Marin led 38-37 before they finished the half on an 8-0 to take a nine point, 46-37 lead into the locker room.
Garrick Sherrod led the Mariners with 13 points and Kress had nine with three made three pointers in the first twenty minutes of competition.
Marin started off the second half hot, as they increased their lead to 53-42 three minutes into the second half. At this point in the game it appeared the Mariners could run away with the game, but it was not to be.
The Cougars rallied with a 13-6 run to cut the Marin advantage to 59-55, forcing a timeout from the home team. It stayed close as Marin maintained a lead, but a very slim one. With 3:30 left in the game, Marin had but a one point lead 72-71.
Alameda began employing a press in the final minutes which threw off the Mariners offense. Alameda built a 77-74 lead with 1:20 left on the clock. Marin's Eric Mireri drove the lane and drew a foul, after netting both free throws with 25 seconds left, Merritt split free throws after a foul to hold a 78-76 advantage with 20 seconds left.
Sherrod took the ball on the left wing and ran the clock down to the final seconds, his 15 foot runner was off iron and Merritt secured the rebound for the win.
Sherrod led the Mariners with 21 points, Kevin Kahriman had nine as did Mireri. Devin Rose led College of Alameda with 26 points.
Next up for the Mariners his a home game against Los Medanos College at 5:30PM on Wednesday, January 31st.