The men’s basketball season came to an end this Saturday, Feb. 19, with a 10-16 record and a 5-12 River State Conference (RSC) record to place fifth in the East division. After defeating Carlow University on the road on Thursday, Feb 17, the Pioneers would fall at home on Senior Night to Indiana University East on Saturday to officially terminate their playoff hopes.

Game one was a road matchup against the Carlow University Celtics on Thursday, with Point Park putting on an offensive clinic to get the win. Senior guard Jesse Calloway would nail a three for the first bucket of the game, and Point Park would never look back, going up by as much as 11 in the first half. The Celtics tried to keep it close, keeping the lead from getting any further and bringing it within three points multiple times, but a handful of late threes by Calloway would help keep the Pioneers lead at 43-34 at the half. The second half was a full domination by Point Park, going on an 11-0 run with 15 minutes to go in the first half and jumping out to a 20 point lead. The Pioneers dropped 52 in the second half alone, while holding Carlow to only 29, ending the game with the final score of 95-63 in favor of Point Park.

Calloway would lead the way with his hot shooting, putting up a career high 30 points while knocking down 70% of his threes on less than 30 minutes of playing time. Sophomore guard Nate Van would score 19 to go alongside eight rebounds, while junior forward Jordan Stowe would pick up a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, as well as a game-high six assists. Point Park would shoot 51% from the field in the game, while also hitting 44% of their shots from beyond the arc. Carlow would only be able to hit 38% of their shots and made a measly 22% of their shots from downtown.

Game two was a do-or-die game for Point Park, with a much-needed win and a loss from Ohio Christian University needed for them to claim the fourth seed in the East division and a playoff spot. Point Park scored the first points of the game but would slowly lose that lead to a red hot IU-East squad, who would go on a 15-2 run to start off the game. The Red Wolves closed out the first half with a 16-2 run in the final five minutes to put them in the lead 45-28 heading into halftime. Point Park would never be able to recover, as IU-East came out flying, jumping out to a 30 point lead at one point, and ending the game with the final score of 94-72 to eliminate the Pioneers’ playoff hopes.

Junior guard Sherron Schifino dropped 25 points in the final game of the year, knocking down five of six three-pointers, and sophomore guard Nate Van was right behind him with 15. The Red Wolves shot 59% from the floor, while also knocking down 50% of their threes in an incredible shooting night for the RSC rival. Point Park would only be able to hit on 43% of their shots, while also only making 38% of their treys.

The Pioneers’ season comes to a close; and with three seniors graduating this year, the Pioneers will still have more than 10 players returning for next season. Although the team finished the season under .500, and ended up near the bottom of their division, the hope is to bounce back next season and return to the playoffs.