Pioneers Pick Up Another Road Win vs. Nationally Ranked Team

Coach Kyle Blackbourn and the Pioneers Men's basketball team are on their longest winning streak of three after the 86-77 victory over the #15 nationally ranked Kalamazoo Valley Community College team.  The Pioneers started the game out sluggish trailing early 11-4 in the first 5 minutes of the game.  KVCC got easy looks at the basket early in the game by great half court execution and out rebounding the Pioneers in the first couple of possessions.  Pioneers began to push the tempo and rallied around two new starters, Darian Welch and Gabe Blalock, who brought great hustle and execution in the half court which got the Pioneers the lead at 13-11. 

Pioneers stepped up their defensive intensity after a timeout which lead to an 16-3 run heading down the stretch of the first half.  The Pioneers went into the half with a 14 point lead 42-28.  Markell Bradshaw led the Pioneers with 10 points and 7 assists in the first half. 

The second half started off with a Markell Bradshaw steal of the inbounds pass that led to an early score. The intensity from the first half for the Pioneers rolled over to the next.  KVCC, during their first home game of the season, rallied and began to hit open shoots and brought life to the gym.  The game began became frantic and the paced increased substantially, like a great boxing match with multiply punches and counters by both teams for a solid 4 minute stretch.  After the dust settled with 7 minutes left in the game the Pioneers where only up by 7 points and seemed to be losing momentum in the game. 

The Pioneers showed their grit and determination by going on a 6-0 run but more importantly causing 3 turnovers on consecutive plays which led to two Pioneers scores in transition.  The Pioneers sealed the victory at the free-throw line based on their stealer defensive pressure. 

Coach Blackbourn stated that he was excited and overjoyed not by the win itself but how the win was accomplished.  "The way we passed the ball and caused turnovers showed that we played a well rounded team game on the offensive and defensive ends of the court."  Coach McMath about the 5-2 start, stated that he loves the two wins, but is more excited for the next practice "you can tell where our guys focus are at and if they are satisfied or hungry for more." 

Markell Bradshaw finished the night with 23 points and 12 assists, while Benjamin Batts had 17 points and 5 assists.  Julian Henderson also added 17 points and 9 rebounds.  Jaylen Norwood led KVCC with 21 points. 

The Pioneers take the court again on 12/3 at the #12 Lansing Community College in Lansing, MI.