Pioneers 66... NDSCS 82

The NDSCS Wildcats jumped out to a big 17-point advantage just 8 minutes in to Sunday afternoon's MonDak Conference game against the Miles Community College Pioneers. The Pioneers battled back and cut the deficit to 44-37 at halftime and again cut in to the lead at 54-50 before the Wildcats used timely shooting and some big defensive stops to walk away with a 82-66 win. 

NDSCS got 27 points (8-12 FG, 1-3 3's, 10-15 FT) and 5 assists from Peyton Newbern (6'4 Sophomore) as 4 Wildcats hit double figures. Aaron Williams Jr. (6'2 Sophomore) came off the bench to score 16 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3's, 2-4 FT) and Kaleb Larsen (6'3 Sophomore) hit for 15 points (6-14 FG, 3-8 3's) and 5 rebounds. Calvin Sisk (7'2 Sophomore) added 14 points (7-11 FG, 0-1 FT) and 6 rebounds. 

MCC was led by Aguir Dawam (6'7 Sophomore) with 12 points (3-8 FG, 1-1 3's, 5-8 FT) and 7 assists. Ryder Lee (6'5 Freshman) netted 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 3's) and a team high 6 rebounds off the bench for the Pioneers. Ethan Venema (6'7 Sophomore) added 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3's, 3-5 FT) and 5 blocked shots while Ethan Bell (6'0 Sophomore) also had 10 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3's, 2-2 FT). 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 24-58 (41%) from the field and 6-14 (43%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 12-18 (67%) at the free throw line. 
• The Wildcats shot 30-64 (47%) from the field and 6-20 (30%) from the 3-point line. NDSCS was 16-30 (53%) at the free throw line. 
• NDSCS outrebounded MCC 33-31. The Wildcats had 11 offensive boards and the Pioneers had 12. 
• MCC committed 22 turnovers and NDSCS had 14. 
• MCC had 7 blocked shots and NDSCS had 2.

NDSCS move to 13-1 in MonDak Conference play and 23-1 overall. They have won 21 consecutive games. MCC fell to 8-7 in MonDak Conference play and 12-12 overall. The Pioneers will end a 6-game homestand on Thursday night when they host United Tribes at 7:30 PM MST.