A back and forth game that had a wild ending finished with Lake Region State College walking away with a 76-75 win over the Miles Community College Pioneers on Monday night in Devil's Lake, ND. The Pioneers rallied from a 4-point deficit with under 30 seconds to go and had the ball with a chance to win but a layup at the buzzer rolled out and the Royals celebrating. MCC led by 9 points late in the first half but a few sloppy possessions saw the Royals cut the lead to 5 at halftime. A 3-point field goal by Favour Chukwukelu gave the Pioneers an 8-point lead but the Royals clawed back and the game went back and forth until the final buzzer. The lead changed hands 10 times and there were 5 ties in the contest. 

Chukwukelu led the Pioneers with 26 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3's, 6-6 FT) and 10 rebounds as the Pioneers held a 39-37 rebounding advantage. Eli Habighorst had a hot hand scoring 17 points (5-7 FG, 5-5 3's, 2-3 FT) and Dylan Hushaw was the only other player in double figures with 12 (4-13 FG, 4-11 3's) and 7 rebounds. The Pioneers had 18 turnovers for the game including 14 in the 2nd half. 

Ben Hoverson led the Royals with 18 points (6-9 FG, 5-7 3's, 1-3 FT), Beijan Newbern added 15 points (4-11 FG, 2-5 3's, 5-9 FT), Brody Kriesel added 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3's) and 11 rebounds, while Trace Evans went for 14 points (6-9 FG, 2-7 FT). Carson Henningsgard had 8 assists. 

The Pioneers head to Williston State on Thursday with a home playoff game at stake. Tip time is 6:30 PM MST.