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Pioneers Hold Off Lake Region for Road Victory

Pioneers Hold Off Lake Region for Road Victory
Posted: Feb 19, 2024

Pioneers 84... Lake Region State 78

The MCC Pioneers hit some timely 3-point field goals and had clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to pull away for a 84-78 win in Devils Lake, ND on Sunday afternoon for their first road victory in 2024. 

The teams went back and forth in the 1st half trading a couple of runs as the Pioneers went on a 9-0 run and Lake Region had an 11-3 run and the Royals hit a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer sending the teams to the locker room tied 44-44. 

The Pioneers hit 3 of their 4 3-pointers in the final 5 minutes of the game and had some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch from Payton Kokot (6'3 Sophomore) and Ethan Bell (6'0 Sophomore) to earn the victory. 

Kokot led the Pioneers with 17 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3's, 6-6) to go along with 7 assists after missing the past 3 games with illness/injury. Ethan Venema (6'7 Sophomore) added 15 points (7-18 FG, 1-4 3's) and 5 rebounds. Ryder Lee (6'5 Freshman) had 11 points (3-8 FG, 2-6 3's, 3-4 FT) with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Ethan Bell added 10 points (4-8 FG, 0-2 3's, 2-2 FT) to go along with 4 assists. Aguir Dawam (6'7 Sophomore) grabbed 9 rebounds to lead the Pioneers. 

Lake Region State got 25 points (9-19 FG, 0-1 3's, 7-7 FT) (14 in 2nd half) and 6 rebounds from Blessed Barhayiga (6'8 Sophomore) and another 20 points (7-15 FG, 2-3 3's, 4-4 FT), 6 rebounds, and 5 assists from Noah Bonick (6'2 Sophomore). Bonick scored 16 of those points in the 1st half. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 33-68 (49%) from the field and 4-18 at the 3-point line. The Pioneers were 14-19 at the free throw line. 
  • The Royals shot 27-65 (42%) from the field and 3-18 at the 3-point line. LRSC was 21-25 at the free throw line. 
  • The Pioneers outrebounded the Royals 41-37. MCC had 11 offensive boards and Lake Region had 9.
  • MCC had 16 turnovers and LRSC had 15. 
  • The Pioneers handed out 23 assists while the Royals had 15. 
  • There were 5 ties and 6 lead changes in the game. 
  • MCC had 24 points off the bench and LRSC had 17. 

Miles moved its record to 10-9 in MonDak Conference play and 14-14 overall. Lake Region fell to 4-15 in MonDak Conference play and 8-20 overall. The Pioneers head to Bismarck on Monday night for a game with Bismarck State at 6:30 PM MST.