Pioneers 67... Western Nebraska 80

Western Nebraska pulled away from a 64-61 lead with about 4:00 to play to defeat the Miles CC Pioneers 80-67 on Saturday in Gillette, WY. The Cougars got 20 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3's, 4-4 FT) and 17 rebounds from Rodney Sawyer (6'6 Sophomore) as the Cougars broke away from a 34-34 halftime tie. He had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the 2nd half. Stephen Ovia (6'9 Freshman) chipped in 13 points (2-4 FG, 9-10 FT), Carl Thorpe (6'7 Sophomore) added 11 points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3's, 3-4 FT), 6 rebounds, and Biko Johnson (6'3 Sophomore) had 10 points (4-12 FG, 0-2 3's, 2-4 FT) in the win. 

The Pioneers got 20 points(6-12 FG, 3-3 3's, 5-9 FT) from Denzel Kabasele (6'3 Sophomore) and another 18 points (6-15 FG, 2-6 3's, 4-8 FT) from Blessing Adesipe (6'6 Sophomore). Shayden Cooke (6'3 Sophomore) added 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3's, 1-3 FT)  for the 2-11 Pioneers. Adesipe grabbed 11 rebounds to lead MCC. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 24-55 (44%) from the field and 7-18 (39%) from 3-point range. The Pioneers struggled at the free throw line going 12-24 (50%)
• Western Nebraska shot 23-64 (36%) and 5-27 (19%) from 3-point range. The Cougars outscored the Pioneers by 17 points at the free throw line going 29-35 (83%).
• Western Nebraska held a 48-36 advantage on the boards with 14 of those being offensive. MCC had 8 offensive boards. 
• MCC had 20 turnovers to 12 for the Cougars. 
• There were 6 ties and 9 lead changes in the game.
• Western Nebraska had 30 bench points and Miles only 4.

The Pioneers host Dickinson State JV on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 PM.