National News

 November 7, 2012

CHICAGO, Ill. --- Despite a highly-revamped roster, the results produced by the Prairie State College women’s basketball team Tuesday night didn’t look much different than those of its national-tournament qualifying predecessors of a year ago.

In its first action of the 2012-13 season, the Pioneers wasted little time in getting off on the proper foot, downing a scrappy Daley team 75-52 in Chicago.

PSC (1-0) set the defensive barometer on full-bore from the opening tip, using a high-energy press to force the Bulldogs into 18 turnovers during the game’s first 20 minutes.

The Pioneers also won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Daley 44-29 for the contest.

PSC saw four players reach double figures in the scoring column as freshman guard Nijea Dixon (Joliet Central H.S.) tied the Bulldogs’ Victoria Bradley for game-high scoring honors with 17 points.

Dixon shot 8-of-10 from the field, while coming away with a game-high six steals. She also pulled down four rebounds and dished out three assists.

Sophomore center Danielle Zandstra (Heritage Christian H.S., Ind.) notched the Pioneers’ first double-double of the campaign, tallying 16 points, corralling 12 rebounds and blocking four shots.

Dixon and Zandstra both recorded eight first-half points.

Sophomore guard Tira Ollie (Englewood H.S.) posted an 11-point showing while snaring five rebounds.

Freshman guard Mandie Green (Homewood-Flossmoor H.S.) dropped in 10 points.

PSC shot 33-of-62 from the floor (53.2%) and 7-of-11 from the free-throw line (63.6%).

Prairie State roared out to a 20-7 advantage to start the tilt and led 34-19 at the intermission.

PSC established its largest lead of the night at 63-37 when Green made good on a putback attempt with 7:33 to go.

The Pioneers will now face Wright College Saturday in their home opener (1 p.m.).