Delta Defeats Gritty Oakland Squad

University Center – In the marathon that is the women's basketball season, it's not always how fast you finish, as long as you finish.  On Wednesday night, the Delta women's basketball team defeated a depleted Oakland County Community College, 73-67.  Oakland, with just six players on their roster, finished the contest with just half that amount as three players fouled out.  Yet, they hung in there against a Delta squad coming off of a 41-point victory on Saturday that also seemed to play lethargic at times. 

But sometimes it about more than just winning, it's about how you win. So even though Wednesday won't go down as the prettiest win on the season, it's still a win.  More importantly, it's a win that keeps Delta undefeated in conference play and in first place in the MCCAA Eastern Conference at 3-0.

"As the old saying goes a win is a win," said head coach Kelly Miller.  "But if we plan on being better than a flash in the pan team that just skates by we have to play harder."

The short-handed Raiders gave the Pioneers all they could handle through the first half as the score was knotted at 33 apiece heading in to the half.   The start of the third quarter actually saw Oakland take a one point lead due to their aggressive style.  But it was that aggressive style that go them in foul trouble as the fourth quarter rolled around and essentially ended their chances of upsetting the Pioneers and getting their first win of the year.

"Hats off to coach Johnson," said Miller in reference to first year Oakland head coach Danielle Johnson.  "She had those girls working hard and playing with intensity. You can tell they believe in what she is asking them to do and if they keep it up they're going to get that first win very soon."

Five Pioneers scored in double digits led by Lauren Rogers with 17 points while Jenna Stzostak scored 16.  Ashley  Lee (13), Chelsea Casper (10) and Harmany Williams (10) rounded out the scoring for Delta.

Delta takes a week off before heading to Flint to play the Mott Bears.  Currently Mott has just one win on the season, that coming over the very Oakland team Delta just beat.  On the season thus far, the first place Pioneers are the only team in the MCCAA Eastern conference with a winning record at 8-6.  The rest of the conference is a combined 17-69. 

Next Wednesday's contest is scheduled for a 5:30pm tipoff.