PARAGOULD --- The Marion Patriots proved their meddle last Friday night at Eagle Arena. In a physical ballgame that featured a pair of intentional fouls and several collisions in the paint, Marion (15-5 overall, 5-0 5A East) gashed Greene County Tech in the second half to pull away for a 47-32 road victory. Marion willed its way to the free-throw line in the second half, connecting on 13 of 17 charities, while allowing just two Tech field goals, and forcing 10 Eagle turnovers after the break. For the game, Marion made 14 of 34 field goals, while limiting Tech to eight of 28 from the floor. A feisty Marion defense harassed Tech into a four-of-15 performance from three-point range in the contest. With the game tied 20-20 at halftime, Marion junior guard Ryan Forrest hit Tech with a personal 7-0 run to give the Pats a 27-20 lead with 5:49 remaining in the third quarter. Following a Tech bucket, Forrest hit four consecutive free throws and dished a nice assist to cousin Jayden Forrest for a layup that gave Marion a 33-22 advantage after three quarters. Marion's largest lead reached 20 points late in the fourth quarter when junior Donnie Cheers pushed the Pats ahead 47-27 with 1:48 left in regulation following a pair of layups. Tech scored the first four points of the game, but Marion responded with an 8-1 run behind four points apiece from Ryan Forrest and senior forward Donte Moore to lead 8-5. The Pats led 13-11 after the first quarter. Tech three times took three-point leads in the second quarter, including 20-17 with 1:33 remaining in the half before a Ryan Forrest triple tied the game at 20 as the teams hit the lockers. Ryan Forrest scored a game-high 25 points while Cheers hit for seven. Jayden Forrest scored five points, dished out five assists and pulled down three boards. Junior Tyler Vincent scored 10 points to lead GCT, while Benji Goodman hit for seven while Garrett Cupp and George Smith each pumped in four. Marion hosts Paragould Tuesday night at Fidelity Bank Arena. That contest will tip at approximately 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.