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Pioneers Win Thriller Over United Tribes

Pioneers Win Thriller Over United Tribes
Posted: Feb 09, 2024

Pioneers 87... United Tribes 86

Ethan Venema (6'7 Sophomore) hit a 15-foot jump shot with 3.8 seconds remaining in regulation and United Tribes was unable to get off a last second shot in time and the MCC Pioneers took a thrilling 87-86 MonDak Conference win on Thursday night in Miles City, MT.  The Pioneers trailed 84-81 with 37 seconds remaining when Venema was fouled dribbling the ball up the floor. A technical foul was issued to a United Tribes player and Venema hit 4 consecutive free throws to give the Pioneers a 1-point lead. T-Bird Houston Davis (6'4 Freshman) was then fouled under the hoop with 10 seconds left and hit both free throws to give the T-Birds an 86-85 lead. MCC rushed the ball up the floor and Ethan Bell (6'0 Sophomore) found Venema at the foul line for the winner. 

Venema scored all 16 of his points (4-12 FG, 2-3 3's, 6-8 FT) in the 2nd half and added 5 blocked shots and 4 steals to his stat line. Aguir Dawam (6'7 Sophomore) scored 18 points (7-12 FG, 1-2 3's, 3-3 FT) and grabbed 13 rebounds in the win. MCC got great production off  the bench as Kris English (6'1 Freshman) scored 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 3's, 2-2 FT) and grabbed 5 rebounds while Daniel Piech Meat (6'6 Sophomore) added 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT). Ethan Bell dished out 6 assists and Chazz Haws (6'1 Sophomore) added 5 assists. 

The T-Birds were led by Davis with 31 points (8-10 FG, 2-2 3's, 13-13 FT) and 6 rebounds. Cayden Redfield (6'5 Sophomore) had 18 points (5-21 FG, 0-7 3's, 8-9 FT), 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. Trae Hugs (6'4 Sophomore) added 15 points (5-12 FG, 2-8 3's, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, and 5 steals. Mark Fassett (6'0 Freshman) came off the bench to score 10 points (4-8 FG, 0-2 3's, 2-2 FT). 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 31-71 (44%) from the field and 8-18 (44%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 17-22 (77%) at the free throw line. 
  • The T-Birds shot 27-72 (38%) from the field and 6-28 (21%) from the 3-point line. UTTC was 26-30 (87%) at the free throw line. 
  • The Pioneers outrebounded the T-Birds 38-36. MCC had 8 offensive rebounds and UTTC had 7.
  • MCC committed 17 turnovers and UTTC had 14. 
  • MCC had 9 blocked shots and UTTC had 4.
  • There were 11 ties and 14 lead changes in the game. MCC's biggest lead was 9 points with 15:00 remaining. UTTC led by 5 with 14:00 to go in the 1st half. 

The Pioneers moved to 9-7 in MonDak Conference play and are 13-12 overall. The T-Birds fell to 8-8 in MonDak play and are 11-11 overall. The Pioneers kick off a 4-game road trip on Monday night in Williston, ND against Williston State at 6:30 PM CST.