PIONEERS COME UP SHORT AGAINST THE 11th RANKED OCELOTS

Livonia, MI -  

On January 21^st, the Delta College men's basketball team got beat by 38 points at the hands of the Schoolcraft Ocelots.  Saturday afternoon the Pioneers played at a higher level and played with much more heart and intensity.  Unfortunately, they couldn't get enough going on the offensive end and took a tough road loss 64-48.           

The first half was a defensive battle as both teams changed up defensive looks and gave their opponent troubles.  A three point basket by Schoolcraft put them up 16-9 with 9:10 remaining until halftime.  The next five minutes, Torion Wilson and Devin Smith sparked the Pioneers and they went on a 6-0 run to cut the Ocelot lead to 16-15.  Back to back three pointers put Schoolcraft back in front 22-15 with 1:33 left in the half.  The Pioneers would answer back and a three pointer by Jovon Thomason and two free throws by Jonathan Swift tied the game back up 22-22 heading into the break.         

"We came out and played solid defense," said head coach Carlos McMath.  "We got some great looks on the offensive end but we didn't finish around the rim."     

The Pioneers came out of the locker room and took an early second half lead, 24-23, on a DoMariye Lloyd lay-up.  The game would go back and forth and a Torion Wilson steal and bucket had the Pioneers down 34-33 with 13:10 left.  The next two minutes, Schoolcraft would go on a 9-0 run and take a commanding 43-33 lead.  The Pioneers continued to battle the remainder of the half but couldn't get closer than 8 points and the Ocelots secured the victory.           

The Pioneers were led by sophomore guard Jonathan Swift.  He had 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.  Devin Smith added 10 points and 6 rebounds.  Virgil Walker chipped in with 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.      

"Schoolcraft did a really good job at dictating what they wanted us to do on the offensive end," said McMath.  "We need to do a better job at getting into our half court sets earlier and controlling the tempo in the half court."

Even though the Pioneers lost, they clinched a spot in the MCCAA Eastern Conference playoffs.  With two regular season games remaining, the Pioneers have an opportunity to secure a five, six, or seven seed in the District 10 tournament.

The Delta Men's basketball team (10-12, 6-8) will be back in action Monday when they travel to St. Clair County Community College (9-17, 3-12).  The Pioneers beat the Skippers in their first meeting this year 101-72.  Game time is 7:30 at SC4 Fieldhouse.