Two weeks into the 2012 league season, the Raider Men’s Basketball team has proven to be better on the road, than they are at home. Five games into the 16 West Region schedule, the Raiders own a 3-2 record (11-5 overall). Their three wins have been earned away from the comfy confines of the HEC, while their 2 losses have come in front of the home crowd.
Coming off of an impressive 8-3 preseason, the Raiders opened league play on the road against Grays Harbor. The Raiders had little trouble with the Chokers, posting a 83-59 victory. Freshman standout John Palmer led the way with 22 points, on 9 of 12 (75%)shooting from the field. Marquise Doss added 12 points and a team high 7 rebounds, with Chris Hyslop and Brett Skogstad chipping in with 10 points apiece. Hyslop also grabbed 7 boards.
The Raiders home opener brought crosstown rival Tacoma CC to the HEC. Before a record crowd, estimated at 650, the Raiders suffered a 79-62 loss at the hands of the 6th ranked Titans. The Raiders struggled to score during two stretches, one in each half, and weren’t able to overcome a talented Titans squad. John Palmer tallied 18 points to lead the Raiders, including going 7-7 from the line. Dan DeVries and James Cooks added 8 points each in the losing effort. Attendance set a record for the Raiders home court at the HEC, in it’s five year history.
On the road against the always pesky Centralia Trailblazers proved to be a good test for the Raiders, as Pierce pulled out a 67-64 win. John Palmer once again led the way as the Raiders had a balanced offensive effort. Palmer and Chris Hyslop tossed in 15 points apiece, with Patrick Cooks, Derek Porter, and Brett Skogstad chipping in with 8 points each.
A season best defensive effort against the always tough Highline Thunderbirds at the ThunderDome earned the Raiders an impressive 60-47, and their third win of the young season. The Raiders held the T-Birds big man, 6′-10″ Nkosi Ali (averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds per game), to just 6 points and 6 boards. Dan DeVries led Pierce with 19 points and 7 rebounds. John Palmer added 15 points, and Colton Brown came off the bench to tally 10 points and grab a team high 9 rebounds. Marquise Doss led the defense with 8 steals and hit the glass for 9 boards.
The Clippers from South Puget Sound came to town and left with a 73-72 win over the Raiders. Pierce couldn’t find their rhthym for most of the game, and played from behind for much of the first half, training by 9 at the break. Trailing by 1 with under a minute to play, John Palmer was fouled following a steal from SPS, and converted on both free throw attempts, giving the Raiders a 1-point lead with 31 seconds remaining. The Clippers scored with 17 seconds to go to re-take the lead. Colton Brown followed a missed 3-point attempt by Dan DeVries with 2 seconds, but couldn’t get the put-back shot to drop. Palmer led the way with 17 points, 9 steals and 5 assists. Marquise Doss led three other Raiders in double figures (15 points), with DeVries adding 14, and Brett Skogstad with 11.