Pioneers 75... NDSCS Wildcats 77

NDSCS forward Cham Okey fielded a pass on the left with with :04 remaining in the game and sank a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds on the clock to give the NDSCS Wildcats a hard fought 77-75 win over the MCC Pioneers on Monday afternoon in Miles City, MT. The game was the Pioneers annual elementary school day and gave people that had MLK day off an opportunity to watch a very good basketball game. 

Monday's game was a back and forth affair that featured 11 ties and 17 lead changes. NDSCS Wildcats biggest lead was 6 points with 13:46 remaining in the 1st half. MCC's biggest lead was 5 points with 18:33 remaining in the 1st half. The Pioneers led 43-41 at halftime. 

For the Wildcats, Okey finished with 14 points (5-15 FG, 2-6 3's 2-4 FT), 12 rebounds, and 9 assists and they were led in scoring by 6'11 forward Jikany Deang with 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-9 3's). 

The Pioneers were led by Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) with 30 points (14-20 FG, 0-2 3's, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Josh Gosar (6'1 Freshman - Pinedale, WY) came off the bench to score 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3's). Jace Hill (6'1 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) had 8 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) had 6 rebounds. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 32-67 (48%) from the field and 8-27 (30%) from the 3-point line. MCC was just 3-4 from the free throw line. 
• The Wildcats shot 30-64 (47%) from the field and 11-29 (38%) from the 3-point line. NDSCS was 6-14 from the free throw line. 
• NDSCS outrebounded MCC 36-29. The Wildcats had 11 offensive rebounds and the Pioneers had 8. 
• MCC had 6 turnovers to just 7 for the Wildcats. 
• MCC had 16 points off the bench to just 11 for the Wildcats. 

NDSCS moved to 16-3 overall and 3-1 in conference. MCC is now 9-13 overall and 2-2 in the MonDak Conference.