A balanced scoring attack was led by Seth Quirey
(Elkhart, IN) as he poured in shot after shot to tally 28 points. A technical foul on Finlandia during pregame
warm-ups allowed Quirey to find his stroke at the free throw line before the
ball was even tipped. Although
struggling from the line, he kept his composure and played in a brilliant
manner as he also pulled down 8 rebounds and dished out 6 assists.
Justin Sheley (Rockford, IL) chalked up a double-double
with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but his hustle plays were the most noted. Sheley picked up four charge calls, which
deflated the Lions early on and forced them into foul trouble. Three other players for the Pioneers scored
in double digits for the game. Josh
Conover (Reading, PA), Jordan Harrison (Indianapolis, IN), and Daniel Doran
(Allen Park, MI) all contributed 11 points throughout the game. Doran also kept the scoring attack alive for
the Pioneers with solid ball movement as he had 6 assists.
As a team the Pioneers were able to display a confidence
that has been missing the last few weeks. They put together a full game as they shot 41.5 percent from FG range and 42.3 percent
from the three-point arch. Northland will continue its
season on Saturday as they travel to Gogebic for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off. Gogebic beat Northland on January 31 by a score of
64–68.