Pioneers Loses To ASA on Last Second Shot

Hialeah, Florida – It came down to a desperation 3-point shot at the buzzer for ASA (Miami) to defeat the Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team 76-74. It was a heart-breaking loss for the Pioneers as this was their third conference loss in a row.
The game saw several lead changes with the score being 23-21 midway through the first half. ASA built a 12-point advantage with 8:45 remaining and closed out the first half with a ten-point lead, 48-38. The Pioneers came out of the halftime with much more intensity. Jai Clark got hot from the 3-point line and quickly erased ASA's 10-point lead. Clark hit three three-point baskets in a row and giving IRSC back the lead 57-56 with just over 12 minutes left in the game.

The Pioneers were never able to separate themselves from ASA in the second half with the score being tied with just under 4 minutes to go before ASA converted the old fashioned 3-point play making the score 73-70. Neither team could score in the next few minutes until DeJuan Lockett score on an offensive rebound cutting ASA lead to one point, 73-72, with 1:41 remaining. IRSC was able to hold ASA scoreless, but a couple of turnovers kept the lead at 1, until Kahleel Ellis-Garcia pulled in an offensive rebound and scored, giving the Pioneers the lead with 24 seconds left in the game. ASA drove the lane, but Lockett knocked the ball out of bounds giving ASA one more opportunity. ASA inbounded the ball and threw up a desperation 3-point shot which banked in at the buzzer giving them the 76-74 victory. The loss dropped IRSC's record to 17-7 and 3-3 in the conference.

Scoring for the Pioneers were DeJuan Lockett with 15, Jai Clark 14, Kimani Binder and Charlie Daniels both added 13 points. IRSC will next be in action on Wednesday, February 6, as they take on Broward College in Fort Pierce at 7:30 p.m. following the IRSC Women's game.