Pioneers lose regular season finale

By: Nick Kieser

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — Last night the Vol State Pioneers lost to Jackson State 79-76 in a thriller of an ending. Brian Price had four three-pointers that kept the score up against the Green Jays in the last game of the regular season.

Starting out the Pioneers had a good lead in the first minutes (20-15) with 14 minutes to go in the first half to keep momentum on the right side of things. Before heading into the locker room for halftime Price hit his third three-pointer as the last big bucket for the Pioneers. At the half, the Pioneers led 38-30.

"I felt good, I felt confident in my shot. I just like to knock them down when I can. Our defense needs to be more stable for the playoffs when it starts up next week," said Price following the game against the Green Jays.

Heston King made a textbook play off the glass and in to start the second half and put the Pioneers up by 10. Jackson State came back from the deficit with just under eight minutes to go going on a two-minute run holding the Pioneers and forcing turnovers.

Head coach Rusty Melvin took a timeout with six minutes to play in regulation and the Green Jays kept the same plan in motion holding the Pioneers and forcing bad passes for turnovers. Having a 71-62 lead over the Pioneers the Green Jays seemed to have stopped the Pioneers for good.

The Pioneers fell short by one bucket not scoring with possession in the Green Jay end with 14.9 seconds to go on the game clock. Falling in this game the Pioneers will play in the Play-in game Friday to determine if the season will continue or end.

Follow @VSCCPioneersMBB on Twitter for the latest news and updates as the season is nearing its end with the conference tournament starting Friday.