Pioneers Upset Cleveland State for Split

By: Nick Kieser

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — The Volunteer State Community College Pioneers (5-14) split conference games for the first time since Nov. 16-17.  After the series, the Pioneers improved the conference record to 3-9 but remain ninth in the conference.

Having six games to go in the regular season, the Pioneers have more wins to look for before the postseason arrives.  Over the weekend (Feb.1-2) the split was a glimpse at what can be when the players are firing on all cylinders and when the players are missing an opportunity to take charge.

Game one, this past Friday, Chattanooga State (14-9) visited and won 82-69 against a flat-footed Pioneers team.  Tim Goodrich dropped a team-high 22 points and Heston King grinded his way to a 10 point performance in the loss.

Game two on Saturday Cleveland State (9-11) came to visit at Pickel Field House and the Pioneers had their way winning 76-64.  As said, the Pioneers played firing on all cylinders and this was the game. Shooting 80 percent on the free throw line, King drawing six charges, and Justin Goodson dropping 31 points were all factors in the victory over Cleveland State.

Goodson was a huge factor to the win as this was his best game in a Pioneers uniform. Goodson's previous highest-scoring game was in a loss at Dyersburg State (Jan.19) when he dropped 30 points.

"If we win both games we will move ahead of Roane in the standings.  Walters has never been an easy place to win and we are 0-7 on the road.  Getting six charges from a post player was huge, six lay-ups made or missed that's twelve points and that's how many we won by," said head coach Rusty Melvin about his expectations about this upcoming series and about the recent weekend series.

Two of the next six games will be at home for the Pioneers.  A road win or two may be the difference for the Pioneers so the team can avoid a play-in game situation for the postseason.

Walters State is the first game this weekend on the road.  Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. and for more news and updates follow the Pioneers on Twitter @VSCCPioneersMBB.