The Miles Community College Pioneers battled back from a 10-point 2nd half deficit to one point at 66-65 with 6 minutes remaining only to watch the Western Nebraska Cougars go on a 4:00 run that built a 15 point lead with 2 minutes remaining and held on for a 91-83 win on the final days of the Border Wars in Gillette, WY. 

Rodney Sawyer scored 25 points (11-19 FG, 2-5 3's, 1-1 FT) and grabbed 9 rebounds while fellow frontcourt mate Them Koang added 21 points (9-14 FG, 3-5 FT) and 7 rebounds as the Cougars dominated the paint area to improve their record to 8-3 on the season. Carl Thorpe came off the bench to add 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3's, 3-3 FT) and 6 rebounds. 

The Pioneers had 6 players hit double figures in a balanced game. Ray Daniels (Las Vegas, NV) led MCC with 20 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3's, 8-9 FT) to go along with 8 rebounds. Paul Gakmar (Perth, Australia) added 16 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3's, 4-10 FT) and 8 rebounds. Eli Habighorst (Las Vegas, NV) scored 15 points (4-11 FG, 2-7 3's, 5-8 FT) and added 4 rebounds. Kaleb Naylor (Zion, IL) came off the benchto score 12 (4-8 FG, 2-2 3's, 2-4 FT) and Blessing Adesipe (Houston, TX) added 10 points (3-9 FG, 2-3 3's, 2-2 FT). The Pioneers fell to 4-10 on the season and are 2-5 in MonDak Conference play. Their next game is in 2022 when they travel to Riverton, WY for a rematch with Central Wyoming on January 3. 

Inside the Box Score

• Western Nebraska shot 47% from the field (35-73) and 32% from 3-point line (8-25). The Pioneers were 49% (27-55) and 44% (7-16) from 3-point range. 
• A major factor in the game was FT shooting as the Pioneers connected on only 22-37 from the FT line (60%). Western Nebraska was 13-20 from the stripe for 65%.
• Western Nebraska outrebounded the Pioneers 42-34 and had 15 offensive board and the Pioneers only 9. 
• MCC had 18 turnovers compared to 12 for the Cougars.