Pioneers Upset National Powerhouse

The Pioneers upset #8 nationally ranked Owens Community College Tuesday night 93-88. The Pioneers came into the game focused and determined to prove that they are a competitive team and they proved to be as such at least for one night. OCC came into the game undefeated with a 5-0 record, and averaging a blistering 102 points per game average. 

The game started out with Delta taking a 6-0 lead and showing their determination to get into the paint.  OCC responded as a veteran team would be going on an 8-0 run themselves to take the lead.  The Pioneers began to score in transition, which led to their largest lead of 12 early in the first half.  Heading into halftime the Pioneers took a 48-41 lead by scoring the most points in one half all season.  The second half had more of the same eaves and flows of the first half, which Delta pushed their lead up to 11 points around the 10 minute mark of the game.  Owens began to hit more three pointers and attack the paint consistently that led to a CJ Bussey three point FG which gave Owens their first lead since the first half.  The last 6:46 minutes of the game were worth more than the price of admission.  The Pioneers were intensity the whole game but Owens intensity rose up to another level, which saw some great basketball being played.  At the 4:00 minute mark Owens took a three point lead off of a John Murry three point FG, which turned out to be short lived as Delta responded by going on a 6-0 run led by the play of Markel Bradshaw.  Owens responded by tying the game up at 84-84 with under 2 minutes remaining in the game until Julian Henderson hit a mid range jump shot that secured the lead for the Pioneers late. 

The Pioneers played a great team game on the night with four players in double figures. Leading the way was Markell Bradshaw scoring 26 points with 4 assist and 5 rebounds, while hitting 12 of 15 free throws.  Bradshaw played intense but with a calm and cool demeanor that rubbed off on the team.  The Pioneers were without Travon Cotton, which led to the emergence of Dan Stanback who the team called the player of the game.  Owens had a sizable advantage on the Pioneers but 6'5 Stenbeck hit the boards with aggressiveness and consistency needed for the Pioneers to hang in the game.  Stenbeck finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Pioneers. Julian Henderson added 13 points, and continuing his great play was Justin Person with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.  Along with Stenbeck the Bench produced great energy coming from Dontae Jackson, Gabe Blaylock, and Darrian Welch. 

Pioneers coaching staff was proud of the grit and determination the team showed going into the Owens game.  This was a significant win under the new coaching regime at Delta but Coach Blackbourn remains realistic on the season- "This is a great win, and I am proud of our effort. We have shown signs of this high level of play at times this year. We have to use this as a spring board to become more consistent and be a great team every night we hit the floor."

The Pioneers return to action on November 25^th at Kalamazoo Valley College.