BATESVILLE --- Facing a nine-point deficit in front of a raucous home crowd, the Marion Lady Patriots dug deep to grind out a key win. Batesville led by as many as nine points early in the second period Tuesday night, before Marion cranked it up on defense to pull away for a 56-39 victory at Pioneer Gymnasium. The Lady Pats forced 20 Lady Pioneer turnovers and limited the hosts to a chilly 31 percent shooting performance. Batesville managed just six of 25 in the second half. Marion improved to 18-7 overall and 8-2 in the 5A East with victory over Batesville. The Lady Patriot victory sets up a crucial game Thursday night at West Memphis. Marion is in sole possession of the No. 2 state tournament seed following West Memphis' loss Tuesday night at Jonesboro. The Lady Pats beat West Memphis 46-41 on January 7 at Fidelity Bank Arena. Marion junior post Alyse Holliman paced the Lady Pats with 12 points and 10 rebounds, her second consecutive double-double. Marion sophomore guard Ny'Asia Jackson scored 14 points and dished out four assists while Jessica Robins hit for 10 points. "Batesville came out and did exactly what we told them girls they were going to do," said Marion coach Shunda Johnson. "Shoot the ball much better at home. We're glad to get one on the road, though." Batesville proved the aggressors early against its historic rival, turning Marion over four times in the first period for a 14-9 lead after one. The Lady Pioneers earned an 18-9 lead with 6:39 left in the second quarter when Marion made its move. Holliman poured in five points during a 7-0 run. When Jackson found Holliman for a layup, Marion was within 18-16 with 3:55 left in the second quarter. A Jackson three-pointer gave Marion its first lead at 24-23 with 1:43 left in the first half before a Batesville bucket gave the hosts a 25-24 halftime lead. Marion took the lead for good on the first hoop of the second period when Holliman scored on an offensive rebound. Holliman's hoop kicked off a 17-2 Marion run that turned Batesville away for good. Kiera Neal hit back-to-back jumpers before Jackson rattled home a three-pointer just before Robins scored on a layup, the latter of which gave the Lady Pats a 35-27 lead and forced a Batesville timeout. A Falencia Selvy three-point play gave Marion a 44-34 lead after three quarters. "We switched our defense, so our defensive intensity increased," said Johnson. "Reinserting Alyse and Falencia was also big (each picked up two early fouls in the first quarter)." Batesville worked within seven points early in the fourth quarter before Holliman and Jackson scored four points apiece during an 8-2 run to push the Lady Pats to a 52-39 lead. Marion plays Thursday night at West Memphis and hosts Greene County Tech on Friday. The girls games will tip at approximately 6 p.m., and each contest will be streamed on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.