Slow Start Dooms Delta

Battle Creek, MI -  Delta College women's basketball coach Kelly Miller warned her team last week about the perils of starting slowly after Delta's come from behind victory at Lansing.  On Tuesday night against a winless Kellogg squad, her warning wasn't heeded as another slow start saw the Bruins jump out to a six point first quarter lead en route to winning, 70-65.  The loss drops Delta's record to 2-3 on the year.

"There were a lot of factors to our terrible start but we have to stop using excuses," said Miller.  "We have to find a way to pull games out and step up when things aren't in our favor."

Early foul trouble saw a snake bitten Pioneer team sit key players for extended minutes which allowed Kellogg to take the early lead.  Delta continued to make pushes towards cutting the lead but still faced a halftime deficit.

"Collectively, we have to step up in other areas when our teammates are struggling and we're having fouling issues," said Miller. 

Missed assignments and fouls continued to haunt Delta as the third quarter started.  Multiple easy shot for Kellogg were converted which left the Pioneers still in a deficit entering the fourth quarter.  The closest Delta came to tying the game came with minutes to go in the fourth quarter as they pulled within three but Kellogg was able to close it out at the free throw line going four-for-four on back-to-back possessions. 

Ashley Lee and Brooke Schutte led the offense for DC with 13 points and six boards each.  Jenna Szostak added 12 points while Harmany Williams dropped in 10 points.  Lauren Rogers scored 10 points and grabbed 13 boards. 

"Tonight we were out hustled the entire 40 minutes…(They) were first on the floor, they were more aggressive to the glass for rebounds, they simply outworked us..."said a frustrated Miller. 

"It's time for a much needed break, which is evident by the way we played.  We had break on the brain and not focused on the matter at hand first."

With time off to give thanks and get some much needed rest, the Lady Pionners (2-3) are back in action next Wednesday November 30th at home against Rochester college (JV).