Pioneers 66... Lake Region State 63

Payton Kokot (6'3 Sophomore) netted 17 points (5-11 FG, 4-8 3's, 3-3 FT) and dished out 4 assists as the Pioneers shook off a slow start and advanced to the Region XIII semifinal with a 66-63 win over Lake Region State on Wednesday in Miles City, MT. The Pioneers trailed 8-2 after 5 minutes of action before they started going offensively. They built a 40-29 lead at the half and led by as many as 15 points before the Royals led a 2nd half comeback that fell just short. The Royals tied the game late but some timely defense, big plays, and free throws pushed the Pioneers to the next round. 

Ethan Venema (6'7 Sophomore) added 12 points (4-12 FG, 0-1 3's, 4-4 FT) and 7 rebounds. Ethan Bell (6'0 Sophomore) scored 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-3 3's) and Daniel Piech Meat (6'6 Sophomore) added 10 points (5-7 FG) and 7 rebounds off the bench. Koak Kok (6'7 Freshman) also had 7 rebounds for the Pioneers. 

The Royals got 15 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3's, 4-5 FT) and 6 rebounds from Noah Bonick (6'2 Sophomore) and 12 points (3-11 FG, 1-3 3's, 5-7 FT) from Blessed Barhayiga (6'8 Sophomore). Mitch Leas (5'10 Freshman) scored 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-6 3's). 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 25-64 (39%) from the field and 6-18 from the 3-point line. MCC hit 10-14 free throws. 
• The Royals shot 19-56 (34%) from the field and 8-21 from the 3-point line. LRSC hit 17-22 from the free throw line. 
• Lake Region outrebounded the Pioneers 35-34. The Royals had 7 offensive rebounds and the Pioneers had 8. 
• MCC committed 11 turnovers and LRSC had 19. 
• MCC had 15 assists on 25 field goals. 

The Pioneers are now 15-16 overall and will play #2 seed Dawson on Saturday afternoon in Wahpeton, ND. Tip for the game is 3:00 PM MST. The Royals season comes to a close with a 9-22 record.