PIONEERS LOSING STREAK REACHES THREE GAMES

University Center, MI-

The Delta College men's basketball team came into Wednesday night's game reeling after losing two games in a row to conference leaders Mott and Henry Ford.  To make matters worse, they were facing the regional powerhouse Schoolcraft Community College Ocelots.  Schoolcraft came into the match-up as winners of nine in a row against the Pioneers.                  

The first half went back and forth between the Pioneers and the Ocelots.  A Jalen Fykes three pointer gave the home team an early lead 18-16.  At the ten-minute mark Justin Person nailed a three pointer and the Pioneers led 26-23.  The Ocelots countered with freshman guard Demetrius Lake.  Lake hit seven first half three pointers, a total of 30 points for the half, and the Ocelots would take a 46-43 into the locker room.     

In the second half, the Pioneers would hang tough and a Virgil Walker Jr. pass found Peyton Miller for a lay-up making the score 58-56 in favor of the Ocelots with eleven minutes left to play.  The next five minutes were dominated by the Ocelots as they opened up a 71-62 lead.  The Pioneers would answer with a 9-2 run of their own.  With two and a half minutes remaining, a Torandis Mack lay-up followed up by a jumper by Martel Handley cut the Ocelot lead to 73-71.  With 13.6 seconds left in the game and trailing by four, Virgil Walker Jr.  hit a three pointer and the Pioneers were only down one.  The Ocelots would make two free throws and a last second three would come up short for the Pioneers, securing a Schoolcraft victory 84-81.            

"We allowed Demetrius to get off tonight," said Head Coach Carlos McMath.  "Several possessions we had four guys doing their job and one guy would miss his assignment.  When you play against a tough opponent you need to have all five guys communicating and working together or they will make you pay."

For the second straight game, freshman point guard, Torandis Mack led the Pioneers in scoring.  Mack had 22 points and 7 assists.  Martel Handley had 17 points and 8 rebounds.  Peyton Miller added 14 points and 8 rebounds.  Virgil Walker Jr. had 10 points coming off the bench for the Pioneers.

"We have had a couple really tough match-ups the past two weeks," said McMath.  "We have a little break in the schedule now so guys will get the opportunity to get healthy and get back focused on our next opponent." 

The Pioneers (10-3, 2-3) will look to get back on track Wednesday night when they host the St. Clair County Community College Skippers.  The Skippers (13-5, 3-3) have found success early on this season but are coming off a tough road loss at Schoolcraft Saturday afternoon.  Wednesday's game will take place at Pioneer Gymnasium.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.