PIONEERS CELEBRATE HOMECOMING WITH HUGE VICTORY

University Center, MI-

In front of a packed homecoming crowd the Delta College men's basketball team began their second half of the MCCAA Eastern conference schedule.  With a record of 5-3, the Pioneers were sitting in a two-way tie with Macomb for third place.  Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers would look to complete the season sweep over the Wayne County Wildcats and move into second place.                                 

The Delta men came out and dominated the game from the start.  A Virgil Walker Jr. put back followed up a Torandis Mack three pointer and the Pioneers led 9-0.  A Jalen Fykes three pointer and a dunk pushed the lead to 21-9 with 9:30 left to play in the half.  The Pioneers would finish the half on a 23-13 run and when Jordan Martinus threaded the needle and found Evan Anderson for a lay-up the Delta men took a 44-22 lead into the locker room.             

The Pioneer energy carried over to the second half and they continued to build on their lead.  On back to back possessions, Justin Person found Jalen Fykes for highlight reel dunks and the lead was 53-23 in favor of the home team.  At the nine-minute mark, a Cedric Moten steal and lay-up gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the night 70-38.  The Wildcats would chip away at the Delta lead but wouldn't get closer than twenty and the Pioneers cruised to an 80-60 win.                    

"This was a huge team win for us," said Head Coach Carlos McMath.  "Wayne was a little short-handed due to some injuries and they had been struggling a bit lately but we knew they were going to be very physical and play hard for the full forty minutes.  I was very pleased to see the production we got from a lot of guys." 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Jalen Fykes with 17 points.  Virgil Walker Jr. added 15 points and 5 assists.  Peyton Miller had a great all around floor game with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.  Justin Person came off the bench and had 9 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals.  Torandis Mack added 9 points. 

"Today we had a great environment to play basketball," said McMath.  "The student body, family and friends, and Delta College fans made it enjoyable and it was a great day of basketball."           

The Pioneers (14-3, 6-3) will travel to Oakland Community College (11-9, 4-5) on Wednesday night.  The Raiders are coming off a huge road victory over Schooolcraft Community College.  In their first matchup of the season, the Pioneers took down the Raiders 96-69.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm.