Marion rebounded from Monday night's loss at Benton to beat Vienna 49-45 Tuesday night in the home opener for the Wildcats.
Marion (1-1) got a career-high 28 points from Jerzy Bittle as the 5-foot-8 junior guard knocked down five 3-pointers and went 5-for-5 from the free throw line in holding off a late charge from the Eagles.
Gracie Connor also finished in double figures for the Wildcats, turning in 11 points, going 5-of-8 from the line, including two free throws in the fourth quarter.
Marion jumped out to a 13-9 first quarter lead and took a 25-20 lead into the locker room. The Wildcats outscored Vienna 15-11 in the third quarter, holding a 40-31 lead going into the final eight minutes, where despite being outscored 15-9, hung on for the win.
Alexi Ucci finished with four points, going 2-for-2 from the line, while Payton Stroble tossed in three points. Lily Garrett had two points and Karris Rhine threw in a free throw.
After going 8-for-20 from the foul line in Monday night's loss at Benton, Marion improved to finish 14-for-20 against the Eagles (0-1).
Vienna put three players in double figures as Macie Whiting had 12 points, Emmy Vinson tacked on 11 and Ayva Rush added 10.
Natalie Webb finished with four for the Eagles, while Rayonna Ridley tossed in three points and Annabeth Webb had two points.
The Wildcats are now averaging 52.5 points per game to start the season and allowing 66 to the opposition,.
Marion returns to action Friday night in a road game at Massac County and will then host Centralia next Tuesday.
Marion Girls
Nov. 15 at Benton 44-28 L
Nov. 16 VIENNA 49-44 W
Nov. 19 at Massac Co. 7:45 PM
Nov. 23 CENTRALIA 7:30 PM
Nov. 29 BELLEVILLE ALTHOFF 7:30 PM
Dec. 2 at Anna-Jonesboro 7:45 PM
Dec. 4 HARRISURG* 3 PM
Dec. 6 at Goreville 7 PM
Dec. 9 MT. VERNON 7:30 PM
Dec. 13 CAIRO 7:30 PM
Dec. 16 MURPHYSBORO 7:30 PM
Dec. 18 at McCracken County, Ky. TBA
Dec. 21 at Harrisburg 7:30 PM
Dec. 27-29 at Benton Christmas Tournament TBD
Jan. 4 CARTERVILLE 6 PM
Jan. 6 at Belleville Althoff 7:30 PM
Jan. 8 at Cahokia 1 PM
Jan. 11 at Carbondale 7:30 PM
Jan. 13 at Graves Co. Ky., 7 PM
Jan. 17-22 at Carbondale Mid-Winter TBD
Jan. 25 at Centralia 7:30 PM
Jan. 27 MERIDIAN 7:30 PM
Jan. 29 CAHOKIA 7:30 PM
Feb. 1 CARBONDALE 7:30 PM
Feb. 3 at Mt. Vernon 7:30 PM
Feb. 8 HERRIN 6 PM
