photos by Madison Turiczek
Junior forward TJ Lanier saves the ball in the first half
of the game last Tuesday.

Sophomore guard Art Christian drives past his
opponent

The men’s basketball team set off last week to keep its No. 2 ranking in the Kentucky Intercollegiate AthleticConference (KIAC) North Division.

The Pioneers were off to a good start Tuesday night with their game against Rio Grande, beating them 79-68.

Rio Grande was tied for second place with the Pioneers, but Point Park kept the upper hand and was off to an early lead in the game.

Junior guard Yandell Denis started off the first half with 15 of his 22 points in the game and also had four assists and made all three of his three-point jumpshots.

“It feels good to clinch second place especially with the team that I have,” said Denis. “It feels good to help my team win, and I can’t take all the credit because my teammates help me get the ball to score.”

T.J. Lanier helped put points on the board with 18 of his own. Lanier also helped keep the lead against Rio Grande constant, hitting three-pointers throughout the night.

Alan Heter had 13 points and nine rebounds, Jerah’me Williams followed with 13 points and eight assists, and Barry Smith put in 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and had three steals.

For Rio Grande to surpass Point Park in the rankings, Rio Grande would have to win all three of its remaining games while Point Park would have to lose all three.

Point Park had a rough start with the first of the three games on Saturday against IU Kokomo.

The Pioneers will have to win either of the next two games to guarantee a first-round home game.

IU Kokomo didn’t let the Pioneers get ahead in the game; the closest points in the game were when they were tied 6-6.

Point Park previously beat IU Kokomo, (107-93), at home on Jan. 10. The Pioneers attempted to redeem themselves in the second half of the game and almost did with two minutes left in the game, 87-83.

“We will be OK on the road in tournament, but Kokomo just didn’t miss in the first half,” said Williams. “In the tournament, if you lose, you’re done. There is no going back. We will secure a home game on Wednesday.”

IU Kokomo didn’t want the Pioneers to go any further and beat them 96-85.

“Kokomo was just on fire,” said Art Christian. “They did not miss many shots from the arc. Also, we didn’t play that well in our man to man defense.”

Everyone put points on the board in this game. Christian had 18 points off the bench, Sa’iid Allen had 11 points, and Williams had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Heter also had 16 points, Smith shot 13, and Lanier added nine.

The Pioneers are 13-11 overall and 5-6 KIAC. Point Park had some struggles on the road with a 2-5 record in conference games and 4-8 on the road overall.

Point Park will play its final two games at home, starting with Carlow on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and then Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. against No. 23 IU East.

One win of either game will guarantee Point Park second place in the KIAC North Division, which will earn a home game in the first round of the KIAC Tournament.