Delta Men Battle, Drop Close Game to #9 Lansing CC

University Center, MI - The Delta men's basketball team was back in action on Monday, looking to pick up their first win of the season as they played host to the Starts of Lansing Community College.  In what was a close and hotly contested affair, the Pioneers ultimately came up short, falling 79-70.  With the loss, DC is now 0-5 on the year while the national ninth ranked Lansing squad improves to 8-1.

The first half saw Lansing jump out to a 27-22 lead as neither team could find their offense early.  Delta was led by the return of forward Dan Stenback down low, adding experience and a post-presence that has been missing thus far this season.  Stanback, one of only two returning players from last year's squad, finished the game with seven points and six boards.

"Lansing is averaging 105 points per game, so we had to work extremely hard on the defensive end in order to slow them down," said head coach Carlos McMath. "I believe we did a great job in dictating the flow of the game early and often."

The second half began with a frenzy as both teams played up-tempo.  With the Pioneers down eight points at the ten minute mark, sophomore Tyler Ellis was able to go coast-to-coast and finished with a dunk to get the DC fans and his teammates back into the game.  The Pioneers finally pulled even at 51-51 with five minutes to play.

Lansing continued to battle, drilling three pointers and cleaning up the boards to once again pull away.  Delta's Martel Handley drilled his second three-pointer late to tie the game at 66 apiece before Lansing re-took the lead, went into a stall, and finished the game from the free throw line.

"I felt we came ready to play tonight," said McMath.  "But we must come ready to execute as well.  We need to be more willing and able to do our jobs consistently."

One player that has been consistent has been Allante Wheeler whom posted another double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Tyler Ellis led the Pioneers with 16 points while Martel Handley added 11points off of the bench.

Pioneers look to earn their first victory on Thursday when they host the Siena Heights JV team at 7pm.