Pioneer Men Move to 4-0, Ranked 19th Nationally

Fort Pierce, Florida – The Pioneer Men's Basketball Team increased their record to 4-0 with a 78-75 victory over Daytona State College.  The win propelled Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Program into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Basketball Poll at number 19.  This is the first time in several years they have been nationally ranked.  The men also moved up to number three in the NJCAA Region 8 Coach's Poll.

This was the second meeting of the two teams within the week as IRSC defeated Daytona State on Tuesday, 92-75. The Pioneers took command of the game early by building up a 31-13 lead with just over seven minutes to go in the first half, but IRSC relaxed and Daytona State cut the lead to seven at the end of the first half, 43-36.

Linton Brown took over the scoring for the Pioneers in the second half, hitting a deep 3-point basket increasing the score to 63-47.  Brown scored all of his 15 points in the second half, helping build the lead to 18 points with just under 11 minutes to go in the game, 68-50.  Daytona State would not go away and pulled to within one point 76-75 with just under a minute to play.  Antrell Charlton was fouled with 12 seconds remaining and converted two big free-throws for IRSC, giving them a three point advantage.  Daytona State had one more chance to tie the score but their 3-point attempt rolled in and out. 

The Pioneers had a balanced scoring attack led by Brown 15, Abdoulaye Thiam 11, Jacob Jackson and Tanahj Pettway 10, and Nate Montaque and Charlton both add 9 points.  IRSC will be back in action on Saturday, February 6^th as they travel to Palm Beach State for a 4 p.m. start.