#9 Ranked IRSC Men Go 3-0 At the Florida vs. Georgia Shootout

Bradenton, Florida – It was three games in three days against some of the toughest junior college teams from the state of Georgia for the Indian River State College (IRSC) Men's Basketball Team.  State College of Florida Manatee/Sarasota hosted a Florida vs. Georgia shootout over the Thanksgiving weekend.  The Pioneers were able to win all three games against tough competition.  "It was a good early test for our guys and I was proud of their effort this weekend," stated IRSC Head Coach Charlie Wilson. 

 IRSC took on Georgia Highlands College on Thanksgiving Day. Georgia Highland had been ranked in the National Junior College Athletic Association top 25 poll early this season and provide stiff competition for the Pioneers.  IRSC jumped out to a 6-2 lead and bumped the margin to 17-4 at the 14-minute mark. They continued the pace and had a nine-point advantage at half time 47-38.  Georgia Highlands took advantage of the Pioneers slow start in the second half and cut the lead to three, 47-44, but A.J. Cajuste, point guard for IRSC took over the game, scoring 20 of his game high 33 points in the second half.  The Pioneers went on to win the contest 94-82. Besides scoring 33 points on the night, Cajuste also dished out 13 assists.  Other high scorers for the game were Bendji Pierre and Kyle Feit both added 15 points, followed by Jonathan Cisse with 10 points. 

In the Friday night matchup, IRSC took on Albany Technical College.  Albany Tech had knocked off the #7 ranked team in the nation, Eastern Florida State College on Thursday and came into the game with a perfect 6-0 record. Albany Tech jumped on the Pioneers early and held a nine-point lead at the half, 41-32, but IRSC came back focused and ready after the half and went on a 12-0 run and took the lead, 44-41.  Albany Tech was able to tie the score several times in the second half, but could never take the lead as the Pioneers went on to an 85-77 win.  Balanced scoring was the key for IRSC as six members of the team scored in double figures led by Pierre with 21 points, Cajuste 15, Cisse 14, Doug Young 11, and Tyeree Bryan and Feit both added 10. Pierre and Bryan dominated the rebounds with 15 and 10.

In the final matchup of the weekend The River would take on the #17 ranked team in the country, South Georgia Technical College.  South Georgia Tech came into the game with two players averaging over 20 points per game and at the top of several statical categories, including three-point shooting.  The Pioneers took several leads in the game but could never really put the game out of reach.  IRSC built the lead to 63-50 in the second half but South Georgia Tech tied the score at 84 with just under two minutes left.  Cajuste came through with a big three-point basket with the shot clock running down giving IRSC a three-point advantage 87-84.  Feit drilled a three from the corner on the next possession and sealed the win, 92-84.  Pierre had a big night for "The River" scoring 23 points and grabbing a game high 16 rebounds.  Other double-digit scorers for the evening were Cajuste 21, Feit 14, Bryan and Cisse both tossed in 13 for the cause. 

IRSC is now 10-1 and ranked 9^th in the national poll and will be on the road this Saturday, December 4^th as they travel to Pasco Hernando State College for a 2 p.m. tip.