Men's Basketball Proves Strong in Pre-Season

The Pierce College Men’s Basketball team closed the pre-season portion of the 2022-2023 season on a high note. The Raiders opened up the season at the Umpqua Invitational in Roseburg, Oregon. Pierce fell short in the season opener losing to Umpqua 86-77, and dropped the second game of the tournament to Clark College 72-69. The Raiders took down Southwestern Oregon CC in the final game of the tournament with a score of 68-82.

The Raiders continued their win streak and extended it to three games by defeating Chemeketa with a score of 73-70, and Linn-Benton with a score of 85-68. In early December, Pierce hosted the Raider Holiday Classic, where they went 2-1 in the tournament. RAIDER HOLIDAY CLASSIC RECAP

After a winning record at the Raider Holiday Classic, the Raiders extended their win streak again to three games by defeating Skagit Valley in a very close game. Will Green sank a 3-point shot with 40 seconds left in the game to take the lead. The Raiders were able to hold off the Cardinals and walked away with a 74-73 win.

Pierce then welcomed Blue Mountain CC to their home court, but unfortunately could not hold off the Timberwolves despite a strong effort on offense and defense. Blue Mountain took the game with a score of 87-74.

Following the loss to Blue Mountain the Raiders welcomed three more teams to their home court and hosted the Pierce Crossover Tournament. The Raiders handed Umpqua their second only loss of the season with a score of 92-84. Pierce was unable to keep the momentum as they lost game two and three of the tournament to Walla Walla with a score of 92-85 and Edmonds with a score of 91-69.

Pierce traveled North to take on Bellevue, but the Bulldogs were able to keep the Raiders at bay as they defeated Pierce with a solid score of 104-88. The Raiders final pre-season game was an exciting one against Whatcom. Pierce was down by 15 at the half, and with ten minutes left to play in the second half the Raiders trailed by 11. With 1:03 left on the clock, Tai White snagged a rebound for Pierce that allowed Iv’rson Lavizzo to score on a layup and give Pierce the lead with 54 seconds remaining. Will Green extended the lead for Pierce on a layup at the 12 second mark. With one second left to play, Lavizzo was fouled and sank both free throws, giving Pierce the win over Whatcom with a score of 76-71.

The Raiders finished the pre-season with a record of 8-7 and begin West Region play on Wednesday, January 11^th, at Highline College. Tip-off is slated for 7:00pm.

THE PRESEASON TEAM STATS (NWAC RANK):

-Games 1^st (15)
-Home Attendance 4^th (500)
-Home Attendance Average 4^th (84)
-Total Rebounds per Game 8^th (40.2)
-Steals per Game 8^th (8.5)
-Rebound Margin per Game 9^th (5.5)
-Points 11^th (1138)
-Free Throw Attempt per Game 14^th (20.3)
-Defensive Rebounds per Game 15^th (26.5)

THE INDIVIDUAL STATS (NWAC RANK): 

MICHAEL AJAYI
-Games 1^st (15)
-Games Started 1^st (15)
-Minutes 3^rd (515)
-Field Goal 4^th (113-231)
-Free Throws 1^st (98-133)
-Defensive Rebounds 1^st (152)
-Offensive Rebounds 4^th (47)
-Total Rebounds 1^st (199)
-Rebounds per Game 1^st (13.3)
-Points 1^st (336)
-Points per Game 3^rd (22.4)

KEELEN ALLEN
-Games 1^st (15)
-Offensive Rebounds 13^th (32)
-Total Rebounds 53^rd (68)
-Blocks 73^rd (4) 

NYMIER BROOKS
-Games 34^th (14)
-Games Started 35^th (13)
-Field Goal Percentage 12^th (61.4)
-Blocks 49^th (6)

WILL GREEN
-Games 1^st (15)
-Steals 55^th (15)
-3-Point Percentage 66^th (33.8)
-3-Pointers 35^th (22-65)

IV’RSON LAVIZZO
-Minutes 53^rd (371)
-Assists 48^th (30)
-Steals 13^th (23)

TAI WHITE
-Minutes 50^th (373)
-Minutes per Game 25^th (31.1)
-3-Pointers 45^th (20-58)
-3-Point Percentage 62^nd (34.5)
-Free Throw Percentage 31^st (77.4)
-Assists 16^th (43)
-Steals 36^th (18)