Delta Men Go 1-1 at Lakeland Tourney

Kirtland, OH - After a tough home loss to Kalamazoo Valley Community College last week, the Delta College Men's basketball team travelled to Kirtland, Ohio to play in the Lakeland Community College Tournament.

In the opening game the Pioneers took on the Mercyhurst Northeast Saints out of Northeast, Pennsylvania. In the first half, the Pioneers had a tough time dealing with the Saints full court pressure, surrendering twelve turnovers amongst other miscues that led to a ten point halftime deficit, 42-32.

Coming out of the locker room, the Pioneers increased their defensive pressure and fought hard to get back in the game. A Trey Newsham three pointer and a Torion Wilson layup put the Pioneers down one, 64-63, with 5:30 left.  Both teams traded baskets down the stretch but easty opportunities were missed by DC and ultimately proved to be their downfall. A pair of late free throws for the Saints sealed the Pioneers fate 77-72.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Jon Swift with 20 points and 4 rebounds while Allante Wheeler chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. Devonte Allen added a spark off the bench with 11 points.

"We need to continue to work on the fundamentals," said Head Coach Carlos McMath. "Spacing, squaring up to the basket and meeting the basketball cost us tonight."

"I can't fault the effort of our guys but we need to bring a consistent brand of basketball to the court every game. We need to bring it right from the start of the game."

In Saturday's consolation game, the Pioneers faced the Pittsburgh-Titusville Panthers. The first half featured a back and forth game and with 3:15 remaining in the half, the score was tied 41-41. The Pioneers then went to a smaller lineup and picked up the full court pressure which paid off instantly.  Steals by Torion Wilson, DeMarquis Simington and Andrew Miller led to easy transition buckets allowing the Pioneers to end the half on an 11-0 run and take a 52-41 lead.

Delta came out of the locker room with much of the same energy they had in the first half. Two dunks by Allante Wheeler, a three by Mason VanPamel and a layup by Manny Dosanjh pushed the lead to 77-50 with eleven minutes remaining. The Panthers wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way and the Pioneers cruised to a 106-79 victory.

The Pioneers had six guys finish in double figures, led by freshman Trey Newsham with 19 points and 6 rebounds. DoMariye Lloyd added 15 points that included an array of alley-oops and two handed power dunks. Torion Wilson chipped in with 13 points, 7 assists, and 6 steals while Virgil Walker added 10 points and 9 rebounds.

"I really thought that we set the tone in this game," said McMath.  "Our spacing was better and we got out and ran the floor the way we are capable of."

The Delta Men's basketball team (2-2) will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to MCCAA West opponent Lansing Community College. Currently Lansing is ranked in the top ten nationally. Game time will be at 7:30 pm.

"Wednesday will be a tough task for us. Playing against a national powerhouse in a hostile environment will be a great opportunity for our squad," added McMath.