Pioneers 63... Dawson 61

The MCC Pioneers overcame a shaky first half that saw them have 20 turnovers yet they went in to the halftime break tied 28-28. Dawson could not take advantage of the Pioneer turnovers as they shot only 33% from the field in the 1st half despite taking 19 more field goal attempts than did the Pioneers. 

MCC cleaned up their ball handling in the 3rd quarter and used a 8-16 (50%) effort from the field to score 24 points in the quarter and build a 52-47 lead going to the 4th quarter. In a game that saw 8 ties and 13 lead changes came to a close as the Pioneers got a big defensive stop with 2 seconds to go leading 62-61 and got one more free throw for a 2 point lead. Dawson was able to get a desperation heave from half court but it was blocked. 

Becky Melcher (Forsyth, MT) and Brae Eneboe (Conrad, MT) proved to be a solid inside/out combination for the Pioneers. Melcher connected on 16 points (6-16 FG, 3-9 3's, 1-2 FT) to go along with 6 rebounds and Eneboe hit for 15 points (4-6 FG, 7-9 FT) and a team high 8 rebounds. 

Dawson had their own inside/out combination as McKenzi Peterson hit for 24 points (11-17 FG, 1-1 3's, 1-3 FT) before fouling out with about 3 minutes to play. Kylee Old Elk had 18 points (7-22 FG, 0-3 3's, 4-6 FT).

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 20-45 (44%) from the field and 5-16 (31%) from 3-point range. MCC hit 18-28 (64%) from the free throw line. 
• The Buccaneers shot 25-69 (36%) from the field and 3-13 (23%) from 3-point line. DCC hit only 8-19 (42%) from the free throw line. 
• MCC outrebounded Dawson 38-37. MCC had 8 offensive boards and DCC had 13. 
• Miles finished with 26 turnovers and Dawson had 15. 

The Pioneers moved their record to 2-6 in MonDak Conference play and are 5-12 overall. Dawson slipped to 4-4 in MonDak Conference play and are 4-13 overall. 

MCC will travel to Bismarck, ND for a game at United Tribes on Sunday at 12:00 PM MST.