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Late Free Throws Thwarts Pioneer Rally As NDSCS Squeaks Out Win

Late Free Throws Thwarts Pioneer Rally As NDSCS Squeaks Out Win
Posted: Feb 04, 2025

Pioneers 83... NDSCS 85

Riley Wolf (Freshman - Springfield, MO) made 2 out of 3 free throw on a controversial foul call with 3.6 seconds left in a 83-83 tie to lift the NDSCS Wildcats to a 85-83 win on Monday afternoon in Wahpeton, ND. 

The Miles Community College Pioneers had rallied from a 68-52 deficit to tie the game at 83-83 with 18 seconds remaining when Yohandry Ortiz (Freshman - Naples, FL) hit 1-2 from the foul line trying to give the Pioneers only their 2nd lead of the contest. 

The Pioneers struggled to get a shot to go down in the first half getting excellent looks at the basket but finishing the half just 13-41 (32%) from the field and 6-24 from the 3-point line. 

The Wildcats were led by Khalif Bettis (Sophomore - Apple Valley, MN) with 20 points (8-15 FG, 3-8 3's, 1-2 FT) and 7 rebounds off the bench. Wolf finished with 19 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3's, 5-8 FT) and Nida Paulauskas (Freshman - Kaunas, Lithuania)chipped in 18 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3's, 1-3 FT), 9 assists and 6 rebounds. 

The Pioneers got 42 points (15-26 FG, 6-14 3's, 6-7 FT) and 7 rebounds from Ortiz that helped key the 2nd half comeback. Mack Page (Sophomore - Worland, WY) added 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 FT), 8 rebounds, and 4 assits while Donnie Haney (Freshman - Baton Rouge, LA) had 10 points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3's, 1-2 FT) off the bench for MCC. Colton Hawkins (Sophomore - Pueblo, CO) had a team high 10 rebounds to go along with 4 assists. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers finished 33-73 (45%) from the field and 9-32 from the 3-point line. MCC was 8-11 at the free throw line. 
  • The Wildcats shot 31-72 (43%) from the field and 12-37 from the 3-point line. NDSCS was 11-19 at the free throw line. 
  • The Pioneers were outrebounded by the Wildcats 45-41. MCC had 11 offensive rebounds and NDSCS had 14.
  • MCC had 8 turnovers and NDSCS had 10. 
  • Each team committed 14 fouls in the game. 

The Pioneers are now 3-6 in MonDak Conference play and 11-14 overall. They will host United Tribes Technical College on Super Bowl Sunday in a game that was moved to 2:00 PM MST.