IRSC Loses To Broward In Overtime

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team traveled to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday to take on the Broward College Seahawks in a Southern Conference match-up. This was the third contest between the teams, with Broward winning the first two games. Both the previous games were hard fought and close throughout. This game was no different with Broward coming from behind to win on overtime, 120-116.

The Pioneers jumped out early in the first half with a 20-9 advantage after a Jai Clark 3-pointer. A steal by Micah Johnson led to a Kahleel Ellis-Garcia tip-in which gave IRSC a 29-18 lead with 11:15 on the clock. Broward made a slight run to end the half, cutting the lead to 46-39.

The second half saw Broward take the momentum and lead 69-64, with 11:25 on the clock. DeJuan Lockett's tip-in tied the score at 99 with 34.9 seconds remaining. IRSC got the defensive stop it needed and Eddie Williams was fouled after he had secured the defensive rebound, sending him to the line with 4.6 seconds left. Williams converted one of two free-throws making the score 100-99. Broward called time out and set up a play. They quickly inbounded the ball and drove hard to the basket drawing a foul with no time remaining on the clock. Broward missed the first free-throw, but made the second, sending the game to overtime.

Kimani Binder scored the first three points in overtime giving IRSC the early lead, but foul trouble hampered the team with four Pioneers fouling out of the contest. IRSC committed 31 fouls in the game to Broward's 20. The high number of fouls allowed Broward to shoot 51 free-throws in the game, which they converted into 39 points, compared to 15 of 20 for the Pioneers. Broward went on to win in overtime, 120-116.

The Pioneers had seven score in double figures led by Jai Clark 22, Kimani Binder 17, DeJuan Lockett and Micah Johnson 14, Charlie Daniels 12, D.J. Winston and Eddie Williams both scored 11. The loss dropped IRSC's record to 19-10 and 5-6 in the Southern Conference.

The will be at home on Tuesday, February 26, when they take on Miami Dade College for the last regular season game. The winner of the game will qualify for the NJCAA Region 8 State Tournament in Ocala, Florida. The game will start at 7:30 p.m. following the women's contest.