The conference opener ended in dissapointment for the MCC Pioneer women's basketball team as they fell to the UTTC Lady Thunderbirds 82-60. The Pioneers started off slow on offense in the first half, shooting only 20% from the field. They couldn't quite contain the Lady Thunderbirds on the other end either, as they came out shooting a solid 45.7%, resulting in a 47-23 Thunderbird lead at halftime. The Pioneers did find a little bit of rythym in the 2nd half, but it wasn't until a 30-17 4th quarter where it was a little too late for hopes of a comeback. 

Freshman Aylin Ramirez (Phoenix, AZ) led the way in scoring off the bench with 13 points (3-6 FG, 7-10 FT). Ramirez was the only Pioneer to finish with double figures while 2nd year player Kelbee Denham (Malta, MT) had 9 points (2-8 FG, 5-5 FT) and Isabel Saltenberger (Anaconda, MT) also had 9 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3's). Ramirez also led in the assists category along with Freshman Angelina Dimasi (Warooni, Australia) with 3 each.  Gabby Flute Player (Flandreau, SD) finished with a game high 10 rebounds followed with Saltenberger pulling in 8 of her own.

The teams split in the rebound battle with 49 each. The Thunderbirds however led in the majority of categories with the most crucial being 29 points off of turnovers, opposed to MCC's 6, as they forced the pioneers to a total of 24 TO's. 

The Pioneers look to pick up their first conference win on Saturday at 11:00 A.M MST when they play Williston State in a loser's bracket game.