Metro Lex News

Men's Basketball take first loss of 2023

Our Pioneers went on the road as they took on Hanover this Wednesday where they looked to extend their new year win streak as the Women's team took care of Hanover at Beck. 

With continued conference play our Men's team has taken these past few games to hone in their defense and playmaking showing their long term potential. This game didn't go the Pioneers way, unable to match Hanover's energy, they fell short 70-76.

In the first half we saw our Pioneers continue their barrage of paint points, scoring Hanover inside the whole first half with decisive slashing from Jaylan Green. 

Getting closer to the basket has proven effective to the Pioneers in recent wins, however rebounding complemented this effectiveness. 

Without getting offensive and defensive rebounds we fell behind in second chance points and in total rebounds in the whole game.  

In the second half the pioneers faced more of the same from Hanover who was able to hurt us from deep. 

3 point shooting was a main factor in our losses earlier in the season and tonight's game was a grim reminder on how hitting from deep can decide games. Forward Simon Smith, went out hurt in the second half which almost sparked a comeback but sadly the deficit was too great. 

After the game head coach Brian Lane had this to say: 

"I thought Hanover just played with a lot more toughness than we did, especially on the offensive glass. 

They were quicker to the 50-50 balls and those things add up. 

Greenamore and Gilman are too good from the three-point line to give them as many looks as we did tonight. 

We must figure out how to play road games in the HCAC." 

Jaylan Green: 15 points, 3 blocks, 100% FT.

Hunter Penn: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks

Matthew Teauge: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 75%FG

Daniel Mullins: 10 points

Looking ahead for the Pioneers, the men get to stay home and play Rose-Hulman this weekend, Saturday (21st) @1PM. 

The men are sitting right at .500 and with the first half of conference regular season play done will bring importance to the following games and show how the Pio's are poised to make some noise in the HCAC.

Original source can be found here