Not even the extreme cold can cool off the Pioneers.

Warren County extended its winning streak to six games Tuesday night, going on the road to down the Coffee County Red Raiders 62-53.

Sophomore Irving Espinoza scored 17 points and Chance Hobbs went for 15 as the Pioneers improved to 14-2 this season and started 2018 how they ended 2017.

"It was the first game after Christmas break, so we knew there could be some rust," said coach Chris Sullens. "We dug a double-digit hole, but I'm proud of the way we responded. It's always great to go on the road and get a win."

The victory was quite the reversal from the first time the two teams met at Charlie Dalton Gym in December. In the first meeting, Warren County ran out to a 20-point lead in the first half, only to cling to a 67-63 victory after squandering the huge advantage.

On Tuesday, it was the Red Raiders and the Roziers who came out of the gate hot.

Darius Rozier, who finished with a game-high 21 points, scored 13 points in the first half. Da'Aaron Rozier was just as effective, piling up all nine of his points before the teams went to the locker room.

Coach Sullens knew his team needed a jumpstart before halftime, especially when the Pioneers fell behind 33-23 with less than two minutes to play in the second quarter. Sullens went to his bench, brining in sharpshooter Eli Jones and forwards Austin Hodges and Raven Lewandowski in hopes to change the tide.
The moved paid off immediately.

In the only minutes all three would play, the super subs helped guide the Pioneers on a 9-0 run to finish the half. Jones was able to free himself for a late 3-pointer, then followed with a jump shot that sent the teams to halftime with Coffee County leading 33-32.

Sullens believed getting close before the break did wonders for his team.

"Raven, Eli and Austin helping us on that 9-0 run really helped. We got to the break, caught our breath and made some slight adjustments," said Sullens. "The kids came out and played a great third quarter."
Catching fire from outside didn't hurt the cause.

The Pioneers gained a lead they wouldn't relinquish during a two-minute span where the team hit four 3-pointers. Two came from Tyree Ladet, while Hobbs and Espinoza added one each. By the time the third quarter closed, Warren County had surged ahead 52-41.

The Pioneers slowed from the field in the fourth quarter, making only two shots. Compensation came in the form of a tough defense - Warren County allowed just 20 second-half points - rebounding and hitting 16-of-22 from the line, including 6-of-10 in the final frame.

"We did the things we had to do to win in a tough environment and against a good team," said Sullens. "This team is starting to understand what we expect nightly from a team perspective."

Warren County will put its win streak on the line Friday when it travels to Upperman. The Pioneers are scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting.