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Pioneer Women End Regular Season With Exciting 2 OT Win at Dawson

Pioneer Women End Regular Season With Exciting 2 OT Win at Dawson
Posted: Feb 26, 2023

Pioneers 80... Dawson 76 (2 OT)

Freshman forward Jessica Tomkins (Melbourne, Australia) scored 23 points (8-17 FG, 7-8 FT) and grabbed 16 rebounds (6 offensive) as the Pioneers closed out the regular season portion of their schedule with a thrilling 80-76 victory on the road over the Dawson CC Bucs. India Blyth (Melbourne, Australia) continued to hit clutch free throws down the stretch of regulation and overtime to keep the Pioneers in the game and finished with 13 points (2-13 FG, 0-3 3's, 9-10 FT). Becky Melcher (Forsyth, MT) helped out with 17 points (7-14 FG, 3-8 3's) as the Pioneers completed the regular season with a 9-12 MonDak Conference record and 12-18 overall. 

Dawson got 26 points (10-18 FG, 5-9 3's, 1-2 FT) and 12 rebounds from Sabira Ahayeva (Minsk, Belarus) and another 20 points (8-17 FG, 0-3 3's, 2-2 FT) from Hailee Brandon (Big Timber, MT) in a game that saw 19 ties and 21 lead changes. Neither team led by more than 6 points in an evenly matched contest. Shannon Burton (Maitland, Australia) chipped in with 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT). 

The Pioneers appear to have a chance to win the game at the end of regulation when Becky Melcher was fouled shooting a 3-point field goal but the officials determined that the foul occured before the shot was attempted and the Pioneers were not in the bonus at the time. The teams combined for only 8 points in the first overtime and went to double overtime tied at 74-74. Julia Paoletta (Buenos Aires, Argentina) had 8 assists to lead the Pioneers. 

The Pioneers took control early in overtime and used 15 points over the final 5 minutes to secure the win. 

Inside the Box Score

  • MCC shot 27-83 (32%) from the field and 5-17 (29%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 21-26 at the free throw line. 
  • DCC shot 33-82 (40%) from the field and 5-20 (25%) from the 3-point line. DCC was only 5-10 at the free throw line. 
  • The Pioneers had 15 turnovers and took advantage of 26 Buccaneer blunders. 
  • Dawson outrebounded Miles 49-39. DCC had 14 offensive boards and the Pioneers had 8.

The Region XIII Playoffs begin Wednesday night as the Pioneers travel to Bismarck State for a 4:30 PM MST tip. Dawson will host Lake Region State. The winners of those games advance to the Region XIII semifinals on Saturday, March 4 in Wahpeton, ND.