PIONEER MEN GET KNOCKED OUT IN FIRST ROUND OF POST SEASON TOURNAMENT

Flint, Michigan -  

It is tough to beat a team three times in one season and coming into Tuesday night's matchup with the Mott Bears, the Delta Pioneers were hoping the third time would be the charm.  The first two games between the Bears and the Pioneers were decided by a total of five points with the Bears winning 67-66 on January 18^th and winning 69-65 on February 18^th.  Both games were tightly contested and Tuesday night followed suit.  In a game that went back and forth, the Bears proved to be too much for the Pioneers and won 76-68.                     

In the first three minutes, Mott jumped out to an early 10-4 lead.  A lay-up by Virgil Walker and a dunk by Allante Wheeler brought the Pioneers back to within two points, 10-8.  At the 10:15 mark of the first half, the Pioneers suffered a major set-back.  Sophomore forward, Devin Smith, went up for a rebound and came down awkwardly on his knee.  The injury would keep him out for the rest of the game and the Pioneers would be forced to adjust their rotation and have other guys step up.  A Torion Wilson driving layup and a Jonathan Swift finish put the Pioneers up 15-14 at the 9:15 mark.  Mott would then go on a 12-5 run and take a 26-20 lead with 5:00 left until halftime.  The Pioneers would answer with a Trey Newsham put back and Jonathan Swift three pointer and found themselves down one, 26-25.  The Bears would finish the half with another run and take a 35-30 lead into the locker room.

Coming out of the half, Virgil Walker used an array of post moves and drives to the bucket to keep the Pioneers in the game.  Walker would score 12 or his 14 points in the second half.  At the 9:48 mark, a basket by Walker cut the Mott lead to 47-45.  Over the next 3 minutes, the Pioneers would go on a scoring drought and the Bears would hold a 55-45 lead with seven minutes remaining.  At the 3:30 mark, the Bears would expand their lead to 13, the largest of the night, 63-50.  The Pioneers would refuse to go down without a fight and a Trey Newsham lay-up capped off a 7-0 run and cut the lead to 63-57 with 2:30 left.  That would be as close as the Delta men would get and late free throws gave the Bears an eight point victory.                                  

"I feel we made all the right adjustments coming into this game," said head coach Carlos McMath.  "We had them confused at times when they were getting into their offensive sets and we got what we wanted when we were on offense.  We let down in several key possessions and that is what hurt us."    

The Pioneers had a balanced scoring attack in which eight players contributed in the scoring column.  Jonathan Swift led the Pioneers with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Virgil Walker added 14 points and 4 blocks.  Trey Newsham had 10 points.                  

"It is always tough to lose your last game," said McMath.  "Our sophomore class will be missed but I am very encouraged with who we are bringing back and new guys that are coming in.  We need to continue to develop our fundamental skills and focus on the details.  We need to appreciate every moment and realize that every play is crucial."

The Delta Men's basketball team finish the season with an 11-14 record, 7-9 in the MCCAA Eastern Conference.