Pioneers 60... Dawson 47

The MCC Pioneer defense forced 32 turnovers and held the Dawson offense to 32% shooting from the field and ended the regular season with a 60-47 win. The Pioneer victory locked up the #5 seed and forces a rematch with Dawson on Wednesday night in Glendive in the Region XIII quarterfinals. 

The Pioneers took control early with a 22-point 1st quarter performance as they quickly flipped a 4-point Dawson advantage to a 22-13 bulge at the end of the quarter. They expanded the lead to 11 points at halftime and led by as many as 18 points in the 4th quarter. There was only one tie and one lead change in the game. 

Brae Eneboe (Conrad, MT) scored 14 points (5-10 FG, 1-1 3's, 3-5 FT) and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the Pioneers to victory on sophomore day. Becky Melcher (Forsyth, MT) added 10 points (3-11 FG, 1-6 3's, 3-3 FT) and 4 assists. Reagan LaPlante (Miles City, MT) also had 8 rebounds for the Pioneers. 

Breanna Old Elk (Hardin, MT) led Dawson with 14 points (7-12 FG, 0-4 3's) and 6 steals. Kylee Old Elk (Hardin, MT) added 12 points (5-17 FG, 0-3 3's, 2-3 FT) and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 22-55 (40%) from the field and 4-18 (22%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 12-18 at the free throw line. 
• The Bucs shot 20-62 (32%) from the field and 1-15 (7%) from the 3-point line. DCC was 6-11 at the free throw line. 
• The two teams combined for 62 turnovers. MCC had 30 and DCC had 32.
• MCC outrebounded the Bucs 36-35. DCC had 10 offensive boards and MCC had 8.

The Pioneers close the regular season on a 2-game winning streak and are 5-16 in MonDak Conference play and 8-22 overall. Dawson falls to 11-10 in league play and 11-19 overall. The winner of Wednesday night's quarterfinal game will face #1 seed Williston State on Saturday in Williston.