Strong Defense Leads to Pioneers Victory

The Pioneers have a simple ingredient for success are, play hard and intense and on Saturday they did just that with an 89-64 victory over Kellogg Community College.  The Pioneers came out with the focus and determination. The game seemed to be a defensive struggle to start out with both teams missing on close contested shots until Juilan Henderson's put back gave the Pioneers the early lead.  Kellogg's leading scorer Joe Glover, got into early foul trouble caused by the aggressiveness of Markel Bradshaw.  Kellogg turned to 6'5 Freshman Angus Bennett who brought his hardhat to the game as he scored tough baskets in the paint to keep Kellogg in the game.  In the first half Benjamin Batts paced the Pioneers with a barrage of three pointers to help push the Pioneers lead to 16 points going into the locker room. 

In the second half the Pioneers came out with a 6-0 run fueled by their perimeter defense.  Kellogg was able to get go on a couple scoring runs themselves but never got the deficient closer than 21 points.  Kellogg had steady play from Bennett who scored 25 points in the game.  The Pioneers showed a balance attack but where led by the scoring of Benjamin Batts 22 points. Markel Bradshaw had a great overall performance with 19 points, 5 assist, 3 steals. Julian Henderson continued his production on both ends of the floor finishing with 19 points, 4 assists, and 9 rebounds. 

The Coaching staff came into the game focusing on the small things such as communication and defensive stance.  Coach Carlos McMath stated that "We must be the best fundamentally sound team, which is successful on talentless plays at all times."  Coach Kyle Blackbourn stated that one player that symbolized that sediment was Justin Persons who finished the game with 13 points, 5 assist and 3 rebounds.  "Justin came off of the bench to get it done on the defensive end and he contributed in every aspect of the game."  Again, Coach Blackbourn was impressed by the 19 assists on the night which he believed was the best stat of the game.  "When we pass the ball like that it makes us very difficult to guard."

The Pioneers look to take on their toughest test to date when they travel to #8 nationally ranked Owens Community College located in Owens, Ohio on Tuesday November 18^th.  Game time is at 7:00pm.