Delta Women Open Season in Style

Buffalo, NY – It's hard enough to expect the Delta Women's team to compete right out of the gate for the 2015-16 season with only two sophomores with collegiate experience on the roster.  It's even harder to expect a win on the road in the first contest of the year, let alone to do so 300 miles from their home floor.

But the Lady Pioneers basketball team did that and more as they knocked off Lakeland Community College with ease, 79-60 before advancing to the championship game of the Erie Classic held in Buffalo, New York over the weekend.  Furthermore, the Pioneers wrapped up the tournament championship with a 79-75 win over Cuyahoga on Sunday to bring the hardware back to University Center.

"Great to have a 2-0 start on the season but we know there is much room for improvement," said veteran coach Kelly Miller.  "We played as a team; constant hard work on the floor and communication when on the bench from all the players."

On Saturday, the Pioneers had six players scored in double figures led by Nyashia Williams with 19 followed by Kenisha Newsom with 12 to go along with her 11 boards.

 "We were able to notice mistakes and adjusted well," said Miller when asked about keys to the win. "Learning how to adjust to foul trouble is always a concern, not to mention being able to finish games."

In the championship game against Cuyahoga, the Pioneers once again used balanced scoring with five players scoring in double figures , this time led by freshman forward Lauren Rogers with 17 points..  Nyashia Wiliams had another big game, pouring in 16 point with 8 dimes while Brooke Schutte (15 points), Jaydelynn Abenth (14 points) and Jenna Szostak (10 points) rounded out the leaders.

"Teams keep playing us in zone and we're learning every game," said Miller.  "We had great ball rotation and each game we've improved and became more effective at defeating it."

The Pioneers stretched their lead to as many as 20 points early in the second half but watched a furious Cuyahoga comeback cut the lead to as few as six with five minutes remaining in the game.  Fortunately, a 12 of 15 effort from the free throw line sealed the deal. 

"I liked the challenge of going on the road early because it gives us a chance to learn how to play back-to-back games," said Miller.   "This team works hard and wants to learn so there is no doubt in my mind that they will make the needed adjustments to hold on to such a large lead at the end of games."

Three players were named to the all-tournament team including Brooke Schutte, Jayde Abenth and Nyashia Williams.  Williams was also selected as the tournament's most valuable player.  Delta returns home to face Mid Michigan Community College in a 1pm game on Saturday, November 14^th.