Lady Pioneers Drop Conference Game to Bucks

By: Nick Kieser

TULLAHOMA, TENNESSEE — Conference games are those in which are accounted for when the postseason comes around this coming March and for the Lady Pioneers (4-4) record this is only the start to a hopeful second half of the season.

On Saturday the Lady Pioneers traveled to face off against conference opponent Motlow State Community College Bucks.  In a game after winning the night before, the Lady Pioneers fell short 84-51 to the Bucks who are now (6-2) overall this season.  The Bucks sit in second place now following the win.

"We were playing scared and not doing what we normally do to start games.  We needed to pick up the intensity.  I don't think it had to do anything with playing Friday night either," said Xavia Williams.

At the halfway point of the game, the Lady Pioneers came back from an 11-1 hole to start off the contest and jogged off the court trailing 39-27 at halftime to the Bucks.  A few three-point shots went down to assist the early game comeback until the game was lost by the Bucks momentum.

"At halftime coach came in and said do I look worried and we knew then we didn't have to be worried.  We weren't playing like we normally do and coach didn't draw up anything at halftime because [Motlow] wasn't doing anything more tactical than us," said Morgan Sims.

Taking a glance at the standings and what McKenzie Wallace said last game the Pioneers did not finish where they had hoped to be after this game.  Sitting in fifth place now with a (1-2) conference record adjusting the attitude this week at practice may be what the Lady Pioneers need.

"We have a lot more to work on individually but especially as a team because playing better as a team can result in winning the games we need to," said Sims.

"It feels terrible because we know that we are better than some teams that are ahead of us.  We aren't playing like we should be in fifth place right now," said Williams.

Playing at Martin Methodist (JV) tomorrow night the Lady Pioneers will be able to get the rust off from the loss on Saturday and come back more prepared to travel to Chattanooga this weekend. Chattanooga (5-2) and Cleveland State (2-5) are both different teams placed in the conference but these games will prove to be a good evaluation as the Christmas break is closing in.

For staying up to date on the Lady Pioneers follow the updates on Twitter @VSCCPioneersWBB and watch for pre and post-game interviews with the team.