Pioneers Defeat Miami Dade For Their 22nd Win

Miami, Florida – The Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team closed out their last regular season game with a victory over Miami Dade College, 85-65.  The win increased IRSC's record to 22-7 and 11-1 in the Southern Conference. They were able to secure the Southern Conference Championship as they defeated Broward College earlier in the week, 102-68.  "This team has had some major accomplishments this season, going 11-1 in a tough Southern Conference is remarkable", stated IRSC Head Coach Charlie Wilson.

The game saw several lead changes in the early going and the Pioneers could only manage a 5-point lead at the half time break, 41-36.  Miami Dade scored first after the break, but it didn't take long for IRSC to get going as they quickly built a 10-point advantage when Tanahj Pettway drilled a three-point basket making the score 51-41.  With just over 15 minutes remaining in the game, Drew LaMont hit a deep three-point basket to give the Pioneers a 58-42 lead.  Miami Dade battled back and cut the lead to 11, 67-56, but that was as close as the score would get.  IRSC increased the deficit to 20 points when A.J. Cajuste converted two free-throws, 80-60 as they pulled away for an 85-65 win.

LaMont had big day for the Pioneers recording career highs in points and rebounds with 27 and 13 respectively.  Miles Coleman, who has been a consistent scorer all season for IRSC, added 18 points and pulled in 8 rebounds.  A total of 9 Pioneers scored in the contest with six hitting from behind the 3-point arc.

IRSC's next action will be in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region VIII Men's Basketball Tournament.  The tournament this year will be held on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.  They will take on the Mid-Florida Conference runner-up on Wednesday, March 4^th at 8 p.m.