(Goliad) — The No. 13 Marion Bulldogs fell to No. 3 Corpus Christi London 56-45 in the UIL Class 3A Region IV semifinals on Tuesday night in Goliad, ending Marion’s season.
The teams went back and forth in the first quarter, with the Bulldogs taking a 13-11 lead at the end of the period. Gavin Moltz hit a key three-pointer late in the quarter to help Marion to the early advantage. The Pirates responded in the second quarter with an 11-0 run midway through the period, finishing the half with a 27-20 lead.
London (37-1) took control in the third quarter. Leading 29-24 early in the period, the Pirates went on a decisive 18-2 run spanning the rest of the quarter and into the early part of the fourth to go up 47-26. London held a double-digit lead the rest of the way to advance to the regional finals.
Marion was led by Gavin Moltz and Jaiden Riley, who each scored 10 points. Banji Ajasin added nine, and Travis Randle also finished with nine — all in the second half. Cash Rabenaldt chipped in with five.
The Bulldogs finished the season 28-8. Marion will graduate nine seniors off a team that won the District 27-3A championship this year. Head coach Jon Allen surpassed the 600-win mark this season, winning his 600th career game on February 3rd in a 55-42 Marion victory over Cole. Allen finished the year with 606 victories.