IRSC Men’s Basketball Wins First Round Game At Juco Shoot-Out

River men's team won their opening round game at the Juco Shoot-out over Polk State College 84-74.  The JUCO Shootout hosted 10 teams for the weekend with some of the nation's best ball clubs being represented.  The first game of the day did not disappoint those in attendance.  The Pioneers took the early lead on a Kevin Grace 3-point shot, 3 of his season high 18 points, 28-22 at the 11 minute mark.  Polk State fought back and tied the score 36-36 with 5:55 left in the first half and built the lead to 46-40 with 1:09 remaining on the clock.  IRSC showed a little fight of their own with a Kimani Binder 3-pointer and Deonte Weaver hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the score 46-46 at the half. 

Defense was a big key in the win for the Pioneers in the second half as they held Polk State to 9 points in a 9 minutes stretch, which proved to be the difference.  IRSC built the lead to 64-55 on a Deontae Weaver tip-in and increased the lead to 10 several times in the second half before finishing 84-74 for their 11^th win of the season.  "I was really proud of how are guys pulled together, we overcame some adversity today and got the job done," stated IRSC's Head Coach Charlie Wilson.  The Pioneers are 11-2 on the season, one of their best starts in several years.  "We still have several areas of the game which we must improve, but overall I'm pleased with the progress we are making," commented Coach Wilson.  

IRSC was led in scoring by Deontae Weaver with 22 points, followed by Kimani Binder 18, Kevin Grace 18 and Cedric Jackson tossed in 14 points.  The next action for the Pioneers will be at home on Wednesday, December 13th when they take on Florida State College of Jacksonville a 5:30 p.m. tip.