Pioneers All-Around Game leads to a Victory over Oakland Community College

University Center, MI---------- Benjamin Batts (Arthur Hill/Saginaw, MI) scored team high 26 points with 5 steals and assists, but the strong Pioneer defense helped propel them to a 77-73 win over Oakland Community College 15-7 (9-3)                                 

The Pioneers recently had their 3 game winning streak snapped to the Wayne County Community College but rebounded in a big way to take a ½ lead for the 3^rd seed in the District 10 tournament.                                                                               

This game resembled the game that the Pioneers dropped to the Raiders on January 17^th , which they lost by 1 point.

The track meet between the two teams started off with some fast transition baskets by both teams which the game to be tied at 13.  Than the half court defense for the Pioneers intensified which helped them to take control of the first half, despite the athleticism of the Raiders.  The Raiders size and athletic ability, which had them ranked #2 in the nation preseason, allowed them to have some acrobatic dunks.  Despite the "ohhs and awws" from the crowd the Pioneers stayed with their game plan and took a 6 point lead into the half with a score of 38-44.    

The Pioneers understood that the Raiders are a great team and will come out with fire and intensity needed to take the game.  Actually, the Pioneers in the first game went into the half with a 13 point lead and saw it relinquish in the final seconds of the game. 

The Pioneers first possession was shaky at best but still weathered the Raiders initial blitz and kept their lead at 6 until the 12 minute mark when a pair of free throws gave the Raiders the lead.  After being down by as much as 5 points the Pioneers fought back to respond with two great defesinsive stops which led to a 67-67 tie in the final moments of the game.  After a great defensive stop on defensive end the Pioneers pushed the ball where Batts drove and kicked to the corner for Justin Person (Flint Carman Ainsworth/Flint, MI) who knocked down an open 3 pointer to give the Pioneers a 70-67 lead with under two minutes left.  After a pair of Julian Henderson free-throws and great stops the Pioneers went to earn one of their best wins of the season 77-73. 

The Pioneers defense was led by the great ball pressure by Davian Phillips (Kalamazoo Loy Norrix/ Kalamazoo, MI), Jaylen Randle (Flint Carman-Ainsworth/ Flint, MI), Batts and Person.  "One of our focus coming into this game was rebounding, but also great ball pressure by our guards.  I truly believe that our defense was the sole reason we fought back when we were down and the reason why we earned this win today" Coach Carlos McMath. 

The Pioneers will be back in action on Wednesday February 18^th when they travel to take on Henry Ford Community College at 7:30pm.