Delta Men Fall to Mott, 85-79

University Center, MI- The Delta College Men's basketball team hosted Mott Community College Wednesday night in a pivotal MCCAA Eastern Conference battle.  It was the first contest between the two schools since Delta swept all three games from the Bears during the 2014-2015 season.  Mott sought and got revenge, however, with an 85-79 victory.  

Pioneer pride filled the gym as a large crowd showed up to support the home team and everyone in attendance was treated with a back-and-forth contest that saw multiple early lead changes and a tight game throughout.  The first twenty minutes saw the lead change hands seven different times.  For the Pioneers, Mason VanPamel got hot from behind the arc and ended with eight points at the half.  A late three by Mott's Jalen Adams put the Bears up 44-41 heading into the break. 

The Bears began the second half on fire and went on an 8-0 run to build an 11 point lead.  Will Williams got the Pioneers back in the game, though, by scoring nine of his team high 16 points in the second half.  A 3-pointer by Allante Wheeler brought the Pioneers within three, 73-70, with 3:15 left in the game but that was as close as Delta would get as the Bears iced the game away from the free throw line.      

In the end, the Pioneers succumbed to the free throw line, hitting seven of their twelve total shots on the game.  Mott, meanwhile, went to the charity stripe 31 times and connected on 24 of them for a 17-point differential. 

 "We got away from our attack mode at times tonight," said Head Coach Carlos McMath.  "At the end we had to foul.  But for the most part, Mott continued to attack all night and that was why they got to the free throw line so much.  Our guards were a little slow stopping penetration and we got caught reaching and we were forced to scramble defensively."

For the Pioneers, Martel Handley had 10 points while Dan Stenback added eight points and eight rebounds.  Jon Swift and Tyler Ellis both chipped in nine points apiece.

For Mott, Diandre Wilson had a game high 25 points while Jalen Adams added 18.

"One of the foundations of our program is E.P.I.C. (Every play is crucial).  The guys need to continue to learn that each possession and each play, no matter when it occurs in the game, can have an effect on the outcome of the game.  An extra effort to chase down a rebound or getting on the floor for a loose ball makes a difference.  If we continue to establish this concept and play with Pioneer pride, good things will happen for us," said McMath.

The Pioneers (3-3 in MCCAA East) are back in action Saturday as they travel to Schoolcraft College.  Game time is 3:00. 

**** Wednesday night's contest featured a water drive for the athletes of Mott Community College as they continue to experience a quality water shortage in certain areas of Flint where many athletes live.  In all, Delta College collected and donated 186 cases of bottled water to send home with the Bears.