Lady Pioneers in a Sticky Conference Situation

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — Tough weekend for the Volunteer State Community College Lady Pioneers basketball team.  Two home conference losses over the weekend (Feb.1-2); first to Chattanooga State (14-7) then second to Cleveland State (6-13).

Breaking it down score by score the Pioneers lost to Chatt State 68-63 in a game where the Pioneers and Tigers were tied for fourth place in the conference.  The scoring was abundant from the starters and as for the bench players, McKenzie Wallace was the only Pioneer with points dropping six on the night.

Following loss one on the weekend to Chatt State the Pioneers turned around for a matchup against Cleveland State.  Coming into the game the Cougars dropped four games straight losing at Motlow State before heading to Gallatin.

Cleveland State won 59-58 based off of the Pioneers not making the necessary free throws.  The Pioneers shot 13-20 on the free throw attempts but at a cost of that Cleveland State walked out with the win and a weekend split.  The Pioneers dropped to sixth place and now the Cougars are tied with the Pioneers in the standings.

"Disappointed we didn't finish either game.  Once again going into the fourth quarter both games we have a chance to assert ourselves and pull away we just missed those opportunities.  I got nothing out of the bench against Chattanooga and overall as a team, we did not rebound well on Saturday," said head coach Otis Key about the weekend series.

Five games are left in the season and two of the games will be at home for the Pioneers.  Coming up the Pioneers travel to Walters State and Roane State for the last overnight road trip.  Walters State has gone undefeated in conference play all season.  If the Pioneers win it would be a huge energizer.

"We've got to focus.  We still have issues executing details and that is the toughest pill to swallow right now.  We have yet to progress to the point where details come second nature to us. Every single game matters more now and it's frustrating because we know we could've not allowed this situation to come up," said Key.

Latest news in the conference as well is that coach Key said that Columbia State will not have a program the rest of the season really putting the Pioneers in a situation to win as the regular season nears the end.

On Friday the Pioneers tip-off at Walters State (4:30 p.m.) to get the final road series finished off this 2018-19 season.  Follow the Lady Pioneers on Twitter @VSCCPioneersWBB for the latest news and updates.