#3 IRSC Men’s Basketball Defeat #12 Florida Southwestern

Fort Meyers, Florida – In a Southern Conference battle between two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ranked teams on Saturday, the #3 ranked Indian River State College (IRSC) defeated #12 Florida Southwestern College in overtime, 83-78. 

Florida Southwestern went on a 5-0 run and held a 17-12 advantage with 15:09 remaining in the first half. Bendji Pierre hit a three-point basket capping off IRSC's 6-0 run and giving them a 18-17 lead with 12:30 on the clock.  The lead changed several times in the first half, but the Pioneers had a six-point advantage going into the locker room, 41-35. 

IRSC built a 10-point margin in the second half, 58-48 due to their relentless rebounding efforts and hustle plays. With one-minute remaining in regulation Southwestern pulled to within one when they connected on a three-point shot, 69-68, that's when things got a little crazy. A.J. Cajuste missed a lay-up with 14 seconds left and fouled the rebounder giving Southwestern a chance to take the lead. Southwestern connected on the first free-throw but missed the second giving IRSC a chance for the win in regulation. Cajuste drove the lane and his shot was block but the Pioneers fouled giving Southwestern another shot for the victory with just 2.2 seconds left.  Southwestern missed the free-throw and got the offensive board, but missed the follow up and the game went into overtime, IRSC's second overtime game this week.

The Pioneers controlled the tip, but had trouble getting the shot they wanted and after a tipped pass they had the ball out of bounds with 1 second on the shot clock. Cajuste's desperation three at the buzzer hit nothing but net and seemed to give IRSC the momentum they needed.  The Pioneers got the defensive stops they needed and Cajuste hit the free-throws down the stretch (16-16 for the game) to seal their 21^st win of the season. 

Cajuste had another huge game with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and two steals.  Pierre recorded another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Tyeree Bryan who had a solid performance with 12 points and 9 rebounds. IRSC has a home game with Miami Dade College on Saturday February 5th at 4 p.m. on the Massey Campus.