Pioneers Lose In Overtime

Jacksonville, Florida – It was a tough night for the Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team as they dropped a road game in overtime to Florida State College of Jacksonville.  IRSC started strong and took a 16-13 advantage on a Miles Coleman three-point basket with 9 minutes to play in the first half.  The Pioneers continued to get good looks at the basket and built the score to 32-25 at the half.

Jai Clark connected on a three-point shot early in the second half and the Pioneers led 44-33.  IRSC kept the margin at double figures for a large portion of the second half, but turnovers and hot shooting by Jacksonville narrowed the margin to 56-53 with 4:33 to go in the game.  With under 3 minutes to go, Jacksonville connected on 2 free-throws to tie the score at 58.  The Pioneers came storming back and tied the score at 60 on a Drew Lamont lay-in.  A defensive stop and another three-point basket by Coleman gave IRSC a three-point advantage 63-60.  Jacksonville would not give up and hit a tough three-point shot to send the game to overtime, 63-63.

Pioneers went up two points in the overtime after Coleman was fouled and converted both free-throws.  IRSC fouled Jacksonville, and they were only able to make one of the two free-throws making the score 65-64.  Coleman again was fouled and made two more free-throws giving the visiting team a 67-64, but a couple of empty possessions allowed Jacksonville once again to tie the score at 67.  Jacksonville had the ball with just a few seconds remaining under their basket and hit a desperation three-point shot from the corner at the buzzer win the game 70-67. 

The Pioneers were led in scoring by Coleman with 19 and Linton Brown added 12 points.  The Loss drops IRSC's record to 3-4 on the season. They will be in action Saturday, November 23rd at 2 p.m. when they take on Santa Fe College at home in Fort Pierce, Florida.