Pioneers 89... Big Bend 75

Uwami Chongo (6'8 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) poured in 25 points (10-17 FG, 1-1 3's, 4-4 FT) including 17 in the 2nd half as the Pioneers rallied  from a 15 point 1st half deficit to walk away with a 89-75 win on Saturday afternoon in Coeur d' Alene, ID. Chongo scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the 2nd half as the Pioneers outscored the Vikings 47-28 over the final 20 minutes. 

Big Bend jumped out to a 22-7 lead just 6:30 into the game. The Pioneers cut that lead to 47-42 by halftime but found themselves in another double digit hole early in the 2nd half. Owen McPartland (5'10 Freshman - Butte, MT) also had a big 2nd half scoring 12 points in the half. McPartland finished with 17 points (6-6 FG, 3-3 3's, 2-3 FT) to go along with 5 assists off the bench for MCC. Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) scored 15 points (5-10 FG, 5-8 FT) and had 8 rebounds as well. Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) chipped in 11 points (5-12 FG, 1-3 3's) and 4 steals. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 33-59 (56%) from the field and 8-17 (47%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 15-22 at the free throw line. 
• The Vikings shot 27-55 (49%) from the field and 9-27 (33%) from 3-point range. BBCC was 12-20 at the free throw line. 
• MCC outrebounded BBCC 28-26. MCC had 6 offensive rebounds and BBCC had 5. 
• MCC had a season low 9 turnovers compared to 15 for Big Bend. 
• There were 4 ties and 3 lead changes in the game. 

The Pioneers are 7-6 on the season and will travel to Powell, WY for a pair of games this weekend. MCC will face Central Wyoming on Friday at 3:30 PM and Northwest College on Saturday at 4:00 PM.