(Seguin) — The Marion Bulldogs saw their season come to an end on Tuesday night with a 70-59 loss to Poth in the third round of the Class 3A boys’ basketball playoffs at Goldie Harris Gym.
The Pirates got off to a strong start, outscoring the Bulldogs 22-8 in the first quarter. Poth scored the first six points of the second quarter to open up a 20-point lead. Following a Marion timeout, the Bulldogs responded with an 8-0 run to close within 12. The teams played even the rest of the half as the Pirates took a 39-27 lead into the locker room.
Junior Braeden Fleming and senior Richie Rayos combined for 24 of Marion’s 27 points in the first half. Fleming had 16 of those points at the break.
Fleming dropped in seven points in the third quarter as the Bulldogs cut the lead to single digits, but Poth was able to push the lead up to 11 heading into the fourth. Marion sophomore Travis Randle had five in the third including a three-pointer.
The Pirates kept the Bulldogs at bay in the fourth quarter as both teams poured in 16 points in the game’s final eight minutes. Rayos tallied five points in the quarter for Marion.
Poth moves on to face Goliad in the UIL Class 3A Region IV semifinals. The game will be held Friday at Goldie Harris Gym.
Rayos finished with 13 points in his final game as a Bulldog. Braeden Fleming had a team high 25. Randle finished with 10 points. Sophomore Jaiden Riley added seven for Marion.
The Bulldogs end their season with a 23-10 overall record. Marion finished 3rd in District 26-3A during the 2023-24 season.