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Pioneer Upset Bid Spoiled By Williston State Rally

Pioneer Upset Bid Spoiled By Williston State Rally
Posted: Jan 26, 2024

Pioneers 59... Williston State 63

The MCC Pioneers had a big upset brewing early in the 3rd quarter on Thursday night in Miles City. The league leading Williston State Tetons came to the MCC Centra with an unblemished conference record at 10-0 and found themselves in a 47-34 hole with 8 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. The Pioneers scored only 12 points over the final 18 minutes of the game as the Tetons slugged their way to a hard fought 63-59 win. 

After a nearly flawless 1st half where the Pioneers shot 50% from the field, 67% from the 3-point line, and 4-5 from the free throw line that led to a 42-34 lead at the break, the Pioneers scored the first 5 points of the 3rd quarter for it's biggest lead of the game. From that point on, MCC hit only 5-22 from the field and shot only 2 free throws as the Tetons slowly clawed their way back in to the game. MCC didn't help it's cause with 15 2nd half turnovers. 

Williston State was led by Canzas Hisbadhorse (Lame Deer, MT) with 17 points (4-18 FG, 1-7 3's, 8-11 FT) and 12 rebounds. Taylor Moffat (Mount Barker, Australia) also scored 17 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3's, 3-4 FT) to go along with 4 steals. Both players had 10 of their points in the 2nd half. Allie Garcia (Mount Barker, Australia) scored 10 of her 13 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3's, 1-2 FT) in the first half. 

The Pioneers got 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-6 3's) from Becky Melcher (Forsyth, MT) and 10 points off the bench from Skyler Neumann (Spokane, WA) and Jessica Makayabo (Northlake, Texas). Miles City native Reagan LaPlante led the Pioneers in rebounds with 7.

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 23-56 (41%) from the field and 8-19 (42%) from 3-point range. MCC was just 5-7 from the free throw line. 
  • The Tetons shot 22-57 (39%) from the field and 5-18 (28%) from the 3-point line. WSC was 14-22 (63%) from the free throw line. 
  • MCC outrebounded the Tetons 35-31. MCC had 8 offensive boards and WSC had 10.
  • Williston protected the paint with 8 blocked shots.
  • There were 5 ties and 9 lead changes in the game. 
  • Miles had 23 turnovers and Williston had 16. 

Williston State pushed it's conference record to 11-0 and are now 18-2 overall. Miles fell to 3-9 in MonDak Conference play and 6-15 overall. The Pioneers will host Bismarck State on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM.