BUTLER TWP — With nine minutes left, Butler County Community College seemed poised to make a run.

Instead, the Pioneers were run out of their own building Wednesday night, dropping a 68-44 decision to Jamestown Community College in BC3's men's basketball home opener.

Having fallen behind by 13 points with 15 minutes remaining, the Pioneers (0-3) pulled within 43-36 with 9:05 to play.

Coach Fred Skrocki applied full-court pressure coming out of a timeout, forcing two turnovers that resulted in points the other way for his team.

"We did the same thing in Maryland (at the Hall of Fame Tournament in Hagerstown) over the weekend,"Skrocki said. "I think we got within two points there. Then we ran out of gas."

The tank ran out again Wednesday.

The visiting Jayhawks (2-2) went on a 25-4 run — opening up a 68-40 lead with 1:10 to play — in cruising to the victory.

"We finally finished one tonight,"Jamestown coach Mike Cordovano said. "That's been our problem. We've had leads late in every game we've played so far this year.

"This time, we put one away."

Cody Troutman paced three Jayhawks in double figures with 18 points, including four treys. Jamestown sank 16 of 25 shots from the floor in the second half, including six 3-pointers.

"We ran into a buzz-saw,"Skrocki said. "They wouldn't miss."

When the Pioneers missed, they weren't getting second chances. Jamestown held a 40-20 advantage in rebounding.

John Wernham, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Australia, had 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while 6-6 freshman Thomas Lee snared 11 boards.

"We have no inside game,"Skrocki said. "Our first two games this year, we faced man-to-man and did OKoffensively. Tonight we faced a zone for the first time and didn't adjust very well.

"We're still in the learning process all the way around. It's frustrating, but that's where we are."

The Pioneers dropped their first two games by scores of 98-87 and 92-76. Rashad Washington had 33 points in the season opener.

"I like where Fred and Chuck (assistant coach Franklin) are going with this program. Cordovano said. "That team is much improved over a year ago."

Wernham is the fourth Australian player to play for Jamestown in 10 years.

"Those kids come over here and wind up earning scholarships with us,"Cordovano said. "It's a nice tradition. John cleaned up the defensive boards well for us tonight."

Antwan Dawson paced BC3 with 16 points while Jermaine Richardson had 12 points and five rebounds.

The lead changed hands seven times in the first seven minutes before the Jayhawks took the advantage for good.

The Pioneers scored only 17 field goals and had 20 turnovers.

"We can't afford to turn the ball over 20 times. That's 40 potential points gone, at least,"Skrocki said.

JAMESTOWNCC68Marcus McAffee 2-4 0-0 4, Wil Bursch 0-1 0-0 0, John Wernham 5-8 1-2 11, Mkike Krauza 1-1 0-0 3, Thomas Lee 3-7 2-2 8, Nat Barone 2-9 4-5 9, Chris Yarber 4-8 0-0 10, Cody Troutman 7-15 0-0 18, Adam Martin 0-0 0-0 0, J.R. Brown 2-2 1-2 5. Totals: 26-61 8-11 68

BUTLERCOUNTYCC 44Jermaine Richardson 5-12 1-2 12, RashadWashington 4-8 0-1 8, Demetrius Rochjelle 0-4 0-0 0, Sean Schreiber 0-0 0-0 0, Antwan Dawson 6-13 3-3 16, Brian Zeleznik 0-2 0-0 0, Max Krepps 2-5 2-2 7, Anthony Blumling 0-1 1-2 1. Totals: 17-45 7-10 44

Jamestown CC 26 42 —68Butler County CC 18 26 —443-point goals: Krauza, Barone, Yarber 2, Troutman 4; Richardson, Krepps

Friday: BC3 vs. Anne Arundel @Westmoreland CC