Pioneers 65... Mesa CC 79

The MCC Pioneer post Christmas schedule mimicked their final game prior to the Christmas break. MCC hit only 11-36 (31%) shot in the 1st half on Sunday afternoon in Mesa, Arizona as they dug themselves a 26-48 halftime deficit. That shooting performance included a 1-14 effort from the 3-point line. 

Mesa came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders knocking down their 1st 3 shots for a 8-0 lead and the Pioneers found themselves climibing out of a hole right from the start. 

Miles would cut the Mesa lead to 10 points in the 2nd half but just could not muster up enough shooting consistency to make the huge comeback. The Pioneers outscored the Thunderbirds 39-31 in the 2nd half. 

The Pioneers had only 2 players hit for double figures. Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) scored 17 points (7-19 FG, 0-5 3's, 3-4 FT) to go along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jace Hill (6'1 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) added 14 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3's, 5-5 FT), 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) had a team high 11 rebounds for the Pioneers. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers connected on only 26-71 (37%) field goal attempts and 2-21 (9%) from the 3-point line. Miles was 11-19 (58%) from the free throw line. 
• Mesa hit 30-64 (47%) from the field and 7-16 (44%) from the 3-point line. The Thunderbirds hit 12-16 (75%) from the free throw line.
• Mesa outrebounded the Pioneers 49-28. Mesa had 12 offensive rebounds and the Pioneers had 9.
• Miles had only 12 turnovers and Mesa had 23. 
• Each team had 40 points in the paint. 

The Pioneers are now 7-9 on the season and will play at Chandler-Gilbert on Monday afternoon at 2:00 PM.