By Austen Burks, Sports Editor.
The women’s basketball team nabbed their second win of the season with a final score of 77-60 as they faced off against the Grand Rapids Raiders Wednesday Nov. 12.
The first half was an evenly contested match and ended with the Raiders at 38 points, one point ahead of the Pioneers. Motivation was key for 20-year-old Criminal Justice major Champagne Arthur and her teammates. “The game was close in the first half,” Arthur said after the game. “But we turned to each other for motivation to pull ahead.”
Eight minutes into the first half the Pioneers held a 10-point lead, but the Raiders began attacking, and scoring points off of rebounds and free throws. Raiders took advantage of Pioneers in foul trouble, and the Pioneers lost the lead late in the first half. “We realized we were also playing against the referrees, and not just five other girls,” said Arthur. “So we kept our heads high and hands out, and contested every shot.”
Sophomores Kennedy James and Mercedez Willis did exactly that as they had a combined nine steals. James also grabbed nine rebounds alone, as the Pioneers fought to end the first half.
Midway through the second half the Pioneers found their groove again, and steals and fast breaks lead to fouls and easy baskets for the team. With about 10 minutes left in the game guard DyMond Perry sunk a three pointer, after an empty possession by the Raiders. Aggressive defense and active hands prevented the Raiders from having a successful possession for the majority of the second half. Pressure defense for the Pioneers caused mistakes for the Raiders and the Pioneers won the game 77-60.
The women’s team started their season with a win at Mid-Michigan Community College on Nov. 8. The next home game happens Sunday Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. against Columbus State Community College.
