Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Pioneer Women Lose Another High Scoring Nail Biter to Bottineau

Pioneer Women Lose Another High Scoring Nail Biter to Bottineau
Posted: Feb 15, 2024

Pioneers 81... Dakota College at Bottineau 82

For the 3rd time this season, the MCC Pioneers lost an exciting, high scoring affair to the Dakota College Lumberjacks. In the 3 meetings, each team scored over 80 points and each game was decided by 7 points or less. Wednesday night's game in Bottineau, ND was a classic nailbiter from start to finish. The game featured 12 ties and 9 lead changes and game down to the final possession. 

With a chance to take the lead with less than 10 seconds remaining, the Pioneers were forced in to a turnover in the middle of the key and then failed to foul DCB in the final seconds as the clock ran out for an 82-81 Lumberjack win. Both teams had multiple chances in the final 2 minutes to either expand the lead, or change the lead in hectic sequences. 

The Pioneers trailed 62-53 heading in to the 4th quarter and guard Becky Melcher (Forsyth, MT) went on her own personal 13-point run that included 3 3-pointers in a 90-second stretch that gave the Pioneers a quick 4-point lead. The teams battled back and forth for the final 8 minutes before the Lumberjacks finished with the upper hand. 

Dakota College at Bottineau got 21 points (8-16 FG, 5-6 3's), 9 rebounds, and 6 steals from Amari Butler (Franklin, LA) and 19 points (9-13 FG, 1-4 FT) and 13 rebounds off the bench from Hannah Plumbtree (Fullerton, NE). Kiara Comeaux (Lafayette, LA) added 17 points (7-17 FG, 0-2 3's, 3-5 FT), 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 8 steals in a solid all-around performance. Rozalind Strong chipped in 13 points (4-20 FG, 1-8 3's, 4-4 FT) for the victorious Lumberjacks. 

The Pioneers had 5 players hit for double figures and were led by sophomore forward Brae Eneboe (Conrad, MT) with 22 points (9-13 FG, 4-4 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks. Becky Melcher finished with 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-8 3's) to go along with 8 assists, and 4 rebounds.  Reagan LaPlante (Miles City, MT) had a double-double with 14 points (7-9 FG, 0-2 FT) and 10 rebounds. Jessica Makayabo (Northlake, TX) came off the bench to score 13 points (6-13 FG, 1-2 FT) to go along with 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Lainey Smith (Miles City, MT) tallied 12 points (4-18 FG, 4-12 3's) and 5 rebounds. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 34-69 (49%) from the field and 8-22 (36%) from 3-point range. MCC was just 5-8 from the free throw line. 
  • The Lumberjacks shot 33-77 (43%) from the field and just 1-11 from 3-point range. DCB shot 15-23 from the free throw line. 
  • Each team nabbed 36 rebounds. MCC had 8 offensive boards and DCB had 13. 
  • The teams combined for 49 turnovers. The Pioneers had 28 and the Lumberjacks had 21.
  • DCB had 22 steals in the game and MCC had 12. 

DCB moved to 8-10 in MonDak Conference play and 14-13 overall. MCC fell to 3-15 in MonDak Conference play and are 6-21 overall. The Pioneers are back on the road Sunday in Devils Lake, ND to face Lake Region State College at 12:00 PM MST.