Delta Falls Short to Mott in a Closely Contested Game
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. — In a fast-paced, high-powered offensive game, the Delta College Pioneers came up just short in a 98–92 loss to Mott Community College on Monday night. Despite the setback, the Pioneers showcased one of their strongest offensive performances of the season, with multiple players stepping up and delivering big nights.
Delta was led by Evan Booker, who put together an impressive all-around performance, finishing with 25 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 7-for-17 from the field and 8-for-12 from the free-throw line. Sir Real Smith added a major spark of his own, tallying 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, going 9-for-22 from the floor.
Jaylen Carthan played a key role as well, scoring 15 points with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Off the bench, Brady Belcher provided efficient scoring, contributing 7 points on 2-for-4 shooting.
The Pioneers attacked the glass collectively, finishing with 28 total rebounds and generating 20 assists as they moved the ball effectively throughout the night. Delta also forced Mott into 9 turnovers, showcasing stretches of active defense.
Despite trailing 52–48 at halftime, Delta continued to fight through the second half, matching Mott nearly possession for possession. In the final minutes, the Pioneers cut the deficit to single digits several times but were unable to overcome the Bears' late scoring surge.
The loss drops Delta to 0–2, but the offensive output and strong guard play highlight a team continuing to build momentum early in the season. The Pioneers will look forward into the season as they play Schoolcraft this Saturday at 3 PM
