In a very physical contest, Francis Marion

outplayed Bibb County Friday night on the road and the Rams closed the regular season with a 69-63 win.

Julius Allgood had 16 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and three assists.

James Hogue had 14 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Dwayne Woods had 13 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Rams.

Brently Wright was also in double figures with 12 points and two rebounds.

Kelvin Curry had five points, including a long 3-pointer.

Aldrin Essex had five points and six rebounds for the Rams.

For Bibb, Arthur Smith had 14 and Kenny Clayton 13.

&uot;I think it was a good contest to get us ready for the area tournament,&uot; Jackson said. The tournament, hosted by the Rams starts Thursday and the Rams play on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Morgan-42, Pike-55

Morgan lost to Pike 55-42 Friday night as their season ended in the first round of the area playoffs.

Pike played inspired basketball after receiving an emotional pep talk from a teammate paralyzed from the waist down in a car wreck earlier this season.

Morgan struggled in the first half, scoring only 15 points. They trailed 26-15 at the break.

The Senators showed some gusto in the third quarter, scoring 17 points in the frame but the couldn’t cut the lead down.

Reid Buster had 15 points while Reid Tolar had 12 points and nine rebounds. Eric Pilcher

had five assists, three steals and two points.

MMI-39, Warrior-45

In the title game of the Area Tournament, the Marion Military girls took a 31-26 lead into halftime against the more experienced Warrior squad.

In the second half, the Warrior team defense was outstanding and held MMI to just eight points and took the title, 45-39.

Felecia Sprott had a terrific game for the Lady Tigers.

The post player scored 21 and grabbed 20 rebounds.

She added five blocks. Emily Easley had seven and Yolanda Kelly had 6.

The MMI girls are 18-5 and play 9 a.m. Friday at Huntingdon.

On the All-Tournament team, Clara Tew from Marion was joined by West Alabama Prep’s Elana Jennings and CCA’s Holly Carter.

From MMI, Felecia Sprott and Yolanda Kelly were each named.

From Warrior, Brenner Lashley, Keshara Moore and Tara Porter was named MVP.