Conference Woes for the Pioneers

By: Nick Kieser

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — Dropping both games in Chattanooga moves the Vol State Lady Pioneers (5-6) to eighth place in the conference standings.  Not splitting the series on the road puts the Lady Pioneers behind schedule in terms of being a high ranked conference team before Christmas break.

At the halfway point of the game at Cleveland State Community College, the Cougars had the Lady Pioneers down 21-27.  Fouls for the rest of the game became an issue for the Lady Pioneers and the Cougars pulled ahead when it was all said and done winning 59-54.  A few three-point shots came in late for the Lady Pioneers but it wasn't enough to prevail on the road.

"We need to finish games and open games the right way.  If we don't open games the right way we won't finish the right way," said Xavia Williams

"I wish I would have hit more of those shots earlier in the game.  We starting falling at the end and it was too late I guess," said Kelsey Harriman on shooting from the three-point range.

Jordan Smith for the Cougars dropped 20 points on the night and along with her was Williams for the Lady Pioneers with 12 points.  From the three-point range the Lady Pioneers were 9-34 and 4-6 on the free throw line.

Tipping off against the Cougars and Chattanooga State Community College will not come around again for at least two months.  On Feb. 1-2 the Lady Pioneers have their chance at redemption when the two teams they lost to come to Gallatin for a rematch.

"It was irritating because that's two losses you shouldn't have had.  We have to learn on the road that each and every possession matters.  We can't make the sloppy turnovers as we have and maybe that's just part of the growing pains," said head coach Otis Key.

"We definitely wanted to split.  Right now we will get back to the drawing board and come back ready to play.  When we get back from Christmas break we will start fresh like a new season," said assistant coach Tony Thompson.

As for another chance to play the game at Lindsey Wilson was canceled with inclement weather in Kentucky.  The Lady Pioneers will have to wait until after the winter break to play again for a chance to move up in the region seven rankings.

Next time out on the court for the Lady Pioneers is Jan. 11 when Walters State Community College visits at 5:30 p.m.  The rest of the games remaining on the schedule are conference games and as for the Lady Pioneers these wins matter to stand out in this league.

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