Pioneers fall to Santa Fe on the Road

2017 brought 2016's issue to the floor for the Pioneers in the opening minutes of the Santa Fe game on the road. The Pioneers struggling to get defensive stops early gave Santa Fe the fuel they needed to spark their offense as the Pioneers found themselves down quickly in the first half, 8-25. Stunned by the rapidly deficit IRSC continued to try and fight their way back in the second quarter but their efforts were enough as the half ended with the Pioneers down 37-17.

The second half found a discombobulated Pioneer team trying to recover from a 20 point deficit one possession at a time. However, an athletic Santa Fe team took full advantage of the Rivers disorganization on the floor and yet again outscored the Pioneers 55-26 by the end of the third quarter. Finally settled into their game plan, the Pioneers behind the scoring of Annette Dukes and Elaine Field made a fourth quarter surge that outscored Santa Fe 17-14. The last quarter efforts although confidence building for IRSC were too late to make a difference in the outcome of this game as Santa Fe beat the River 69-43.

Annette Dukes pulls another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Elaine Field contributes 13 points. The Pioneers end non-conference play 2-13.