IRSC Men Knock Off Number 6th Ranked Northwest Florida

St Petersburg, FL – The Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team had a successful weekend at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 8 Junior College Shoot-Out which was held at St. Petersburg College.  The opening night IRSC took on the host team, St. Petersburg College.  The game remained close before Tyeree Bryan got a steal and drove the length of the floor for a lay-up giving the Pioneers an early 10-point lead, 35-25.  Bendji Pierre dominated the inside early, scoring 20 of his game high 24 points as IRSC led at the half 48-41.

St. Pete stayed within striking distance, pulling within six points early in the second half, before the Pioneers stretch out the lead to 20-points, 78-58.  The pace of the game didn't change and IRSC went on to a 92-75 victory.  To go along with Pierre's 24 points, A.J. Cajuste had 21, Jonathan Cisse 16, and Bryan with 15. 

On the final day of the shoot-out IRSC took on the 6^th ranked team in the NJCAA National Poll, Northwest Florida.  With nine members of the Northwest team standing 6'7" or taller, compared to only three members of the Pioneers in that height range, IRSC had their work cut out for them. 

The game had several lead changes before Northwest went on a run and pushed their advantage to 10 points, 21-11.  IRSC had a difficult time finding the basket as several of their shots rolled in and out allowing Northwest to build their lead to 34-17 before the Pioneers went on a 9-0 running closing the gap to 9, 39-30 at the half. 

Northwest continued to hold off IRSC as they held a 10-point lead with just under six minutes remaining in the contest.  The Pioneers kept fighting back and cut the lead to seven when Cisse drilled a long three, 69-62 followed by Doug Young who also drilled a three-point shot closing the gap to four points, 71-67.  Bryan grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put-back as he converted the free-throw giving IRSC the lead 72-71.  Young hit another three-point basket helping the Pioneers go on to a 79-75 win. 

Cajuste had another solid performance at the point guard position with a game high 19 points and 7 assists.  Bryan and Kyle Feit both added 14, followed by Bendji Pierre who added 12 points and pulled in 8 rebounds. 

IRSC improved their record to 5-1 and will be in action on Wednesday, November 17^th as they travel to Daytona State College for a 7 p.m. start.