IRSC Rings in the New Year with a Victory over Southern Union

FORT PIERCE, FL - The Indian River State College Pioneers started 2024 the same way that 2023 ended: Winning. IRSC hosted NJCAA Division I opponent Southern Union State Community College on New Year's Day on Mike Leatherwood Court. This was IRSC's first game since hosting Palm Beach State on December 13, 2023 with the Pioneers looking to continue their undefeated season. The Pioneers got off to a slow start after the long layoff leading Head Coach Bill Morosco to call a timeout early in the first half. From that moment on, the team was able to settle down and IRSC brought a 54-43 lead into the half time break. IRSC went on to control the second half leading by as much as 27 points and finishing with a 103-82 win.

IRSC was led by Jayshayne Woodard with 20 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and Mostapha El Moutaouakkil with 31 Points 11 rebounds and three assists. Mykol Sanchez added 22 points with six made 3's and Mason Brown scored 16 points on 50% shooting from the field.

"The first game back from break is always a little sloppy so I'm glad we were able to get better as the game went on. As we head into conference play we are going to play some of the very best teams in the country and won't be able to make for slow starts so that is something we'll need to focus on in this week of practice," said Coach Morosco. "Overall, though, as the game went on we settled down and executed on both offense and defense and some players off the bench gave us some good moments which I hope will continue moving forward."

The undefeated and nationally ranked #20, Pioneers will face an undefeated and nationally ranked #3, Daytona State in Daytona Beach Saturday, January 6 with a 4:00pm tip-off time. This is the first conference match up for the Pioneers in the new Citrus Conference. 

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