PIONEERS DOMINATE LUMBERJACKS IN SEASON FINALE

Alpena, MI-

The last time that the Delta College men's basketball team faced off with the Alpena Lumberjacks, the Lumberjacks would give the Pioneers all they could handle and it took overtime to get the victory.  Wednesday night would have playoff implications on the line and the outcome would be much different.  The Pioneers came out and dominated right from the tip-off and left no doubt this time, winning convincingly 87-56.                              

Justin Person got the Pioneers going with two early three pointers.  After a highlight reel alley-oop dunk by Jalen Fykes, the Delta men had a 16-5 lead.  The Pioneers would open their lead to twenty points, 31-11 when Brandon Brackett scored back to back baskets.  At the four-minute mark a Jordan Martinus three-pointer and a Martel Handley jump shot pushed the score to 40-15 in favor of the Pioneers.  The Lumberjacks would try to cut into the Delta lead but the Pioneers would take a 47-23 lead into the locker room.                

Coming out of half time, the Pioneers picked up right where they left off, converting Alpena turnovers into easy baskets.  Cedric Moten scored six straight points and at the eleven-minute mark the Pioneers had their largest lead of the night, 66-36.  With five minutes remaining, a Jalen Fykes block led to a windmill dunk and that sealed the deal for the Pioneers as they rolled to an 87-56 victory.                               

"In our first match-up we let Alpena get comfortable and score from where they wanted," said Head Coach Carlos McMath.  "Tonight we put an emphasis on close-outs and running their shooters off the line." 

Martel Handley's 23 points led a balanced scoring attack for the Pioneers.  Cedric Moten added 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Jalen Fykes had 12 points and 10 rebounds.  On the night, the Pioneers dominated points in the paint (48-18) and converted 31 points off Alpena turnovers.  The Pioneers depth also helped lead them to victory as the Delta bench outscored Alpena's bench 23-5.     

"We got production from a lot of guys tonight" said McMath.  "I really liked how we picked up our defensive intensity and gave them different looks so their shooters wouldn't get comfortable."           

The Pioneers (18-6, 10-6) will host Oakland Community College (16-11, 9-7) on Tuesday night in the first round of the District 10 NJCAA tournament.    The Pioneers and the Raiders split their season series with each team winning on their respective home court.  Tuesday's game will take place at Pioneer Gymnasium and the winner will advance to the semis of the District 10 tournament in Port Huron, Michigan.  Game time is set for 7:00 pm.