By Ethan Moore, Sports Editor.
Delta was red hot coming into the Jan. 21 game against Mott, having won four in a row and five of their last six games. Mott came ready to play looking to improve their record to 6-10 on the year. Both teams stumbled out of the gate and struggled to find any sort of offensive rhythm. It wasn’t until the second quarter when Mott started to hit their stride in the transition game and beat the Lady Pioneers 69-66.
“They capitalized on our mistakes,” says Head Coach Kelly Miller. “We didn’t hustle the way we were supposed to and the way we have been the last four games and those few possessions where they got easy outlet baskets ultimately led them to the lead.”
The Lady Pioneers were able to keep the game close throughout. However as they continued to fight and not take the lead, the team began to tighten up and grow frustrated with the game.
“We just need to remind ourselves that we have to slow down and communicate more as a team,” says center Jayde Abenth.
With about ten seconds left, the Lady Pioneers were down three, but were unable to come up with a final shot to take the game to overtime. Coach Miller isn’t happy with the outcome, but she knows there’s plenty to learn from the experience.
“Tonight we showed spurts and we had different players step up and do well,” says Miller. “Now we need to make sure that those players continue to do well, as well as have everyone else get on board and continue to get better.”
Delta will travel this Saturday to take on the conference leading Schoolcraft in what appears to be the team’s toughest test to date. After Schoolcraft ousted them in the tournament last year, Delta is looking for revenge.
“You don’t need added motivation going into Schoolcraft,” explains Miller. “Last year they split with us and then they beat us at home in the tournament and they moved onto the national tournament. We know that when we come out and play our best game it’s tough for teams to beat us.”
*Wednesday night’s contest featured a water drive for the athletes of Mott Community College as they continue to experience a quality water shortage in certain areas of Flint where many athletes live. In all, Delta College collected and donated 186 cases of bottled water to send home with the Bears.
