Last updated on March 9, 2019
By Jim Hayes,
A 78-66 loss to the conference leading Motlow State Community College Bucks left the Volunteer State Community College Pioneer men’s basketball squad in ninth place in the conference Jan. 26, at Pickel Fieldhouse.
Just three Pioneers, Tim Goodrich, Jabori Murphy and Jonathan Howard managed to score in double figures as Motlow State swept the season series from Vol State.
The Pioneers were able to grab only 26 rebounds, giving them almost no chance to sustain any kind of offense on the night.
After home games last Friday and Saturday (against Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State Community College, respectively), Vol State will be on the road next weekend at Walters State Community College and Roane State Community College.
In their last meetings, the Pioneers lost to Walters State 93-80 and won a nail-biter to Roane State, 91-86.
Walters State is currently tied for second place in the conference, while Roane State is two games ahead of Vol State in eighth place.
“When you are in first place, you play like it,” said Pioneer head coach Rusty Melvin of the loss to the Bucks. “Second half, we had a chance to win the game. We got it down to five [points] from seven and again we don’t make the shots when we have to.”
“Our kids are trying, they are playing as hard as they can play,” said Melvin. “We’re playing against teams whose kids have money and every player on that team gets two meals a day and free housing. We get nothing.”
“So we just do the best we can. We have kids giving their best on the court and in the classroom. So I’m proud of them and the effort they try to make,” he said.
In the game, guard Tim Goodrich’s 21 points paced the Pioneers.
Goodrich scored on six of 17 field goal attempts, including two of his nine three-point shots. He made seven of his nine free throws.
Murphy’s scoring came on five of 12 shots from the field and two of two free throws. His eight rebounds, seven on the defensive glass and another at the offensive end of the floor paced Vol State in that category.
Howard’s eleven points were the result of a four for seven shooting night from the field, one of four three-point shots and two of four free throws. He finished the evening with six rebounds.
The rest of the Pioneer squad managed only 22 points amongst them. Jaden Chumley had eight, Justin Goodson six, Chase Hawkins four and Jordan Buchanan and Heston King two each.
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