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Pioneer Rally Falls Just Short at Bismarck State

Pioneer Rally Falls Just Short at Bismarck State
Posted: Jan 31, 2023

Pioneers 76... Bismarck State 78

Anthony Bertucci (6'4 Freshman) scored all 17 of his points in the 2nd half (6-9 FG, 5-7 3's) including a go ahed 3-pointer with 8 seconds left and the Pioneers game winning 3-point shot was just off the mark as the Mystics outlasted the Pioneers 78-76 on Monday night in Bismarck, ND. 

The Mystics led 42-31 at the half and ran the lead to 21 points with 14 minutes to go before the Pioneers mustered up a rally to take the lead in the waning moments. The Pioneers Denzel Kabasele (6'3 Sophomore) scored a go ahead basket giving the Pioneers a 76-75 lead with 20 seconds remaining before Bertucci's heroics. 

Four Mystic players reached double figures in the game. Jaden Hamilton (6'7 Sophomore) scored 16 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3's, 5-6 FT) and grabbed 6 rebounds. Jayden Bernard (6'4 Sophomore) came off the bench to score 11 points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3's, 2-2) and had a team high 7 rebounds while Deonte' Martinez added 10 points (4-10 FG, 1-3 3's, 1-2 FT).

Kabasele finished with 25 points (9-15 FG, 5-6 3's, 2-2 FT) (22 in 2nd half) and 4 steals and Blessing Adesipe (6'6 Sophomore) put in 27 points (9-21 FG, 2-7 3's, 7-8 FT) and a team high 13 rebounds. Payton Kokot (6'3 Freshman) scored 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3's, 0-1 FT) and a team high 4 assists. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers finished the game 26-55 (47%) from the field and 11-23 (48%) from the 3-point line. MCC was only 13-22 (59%) at the free throw line. 
  • The Mystics were 29-61 (48%) from the field and 10-25 (40%) from 3-point line. They hit 10-12 at the free throw line. 
  • The score was tied once and there were 7 lead changes. 
  • The Pioneers had 11 turnovers and the Mystics had 12. 
  • MCC outrebounded BSC 32-31. MCC had 9 offensive rebounds and BSC had 8.
  • Bismarck State had 26 points off the bench and MCC had only 3.

Bismarck State moved to 5-8 in MonDak play and 7-12 overall. MCC fell to 3-11 overall and 4-19 overall. MCC will travel to Wahpeton, ND for a game against NDSCS next Sunday (Feb. 4).