Marion Survives OT Thriller to Claim 5A Title

By Chase Gage on March 8, 2019 • ( 0 )

This story was originally published on ArkansasVarsity.com

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — The Marion Patriots outlasted the Little Rock Hall Warriors in overtime to claim the 5A state championship, 57-54. Tournament MVP Keyshawn Woods led all scorers with 20 points.

Turnovers (14) and missed free throws (8) ultimately doomed Hall with their costliest turnover occurring with only two seconds left in overtime with the Warriors trailing by two.

Marion (25-3) nearly notched the win in regulation, going on a 7-0 run exclusively from the free throw line, going 8-for-10 from the line in the final 2:47. The Patriots held a three-point lead with just 24 seconds remaining until Jarius Sharp hit a driving layup and drew contact, pulling the Warriors within a single point. He drained the free throw to tie the game and send it to overtime.