Pioneers 86... United Tribes 80

Owen McPartland (5'10 Freshman - Butte, MT) came off the bench to knock down 7 3-pointers enroute to a game high 21 points (7-11 FG, 7-11 3's) to lead 4 Pioneers in double figures in a 86-80 win over United Tribes to end the regular season. Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) added 19 points (6-20 FG, 1-7 3's, 6-8 FT) to go along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) had a double double with 15 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3's, 3-5 FT) and 14 rebounds while front court mate Uwami Chongo (6'8 Sophomore) had 14 points (5-11 FG, 2-6 3's, 2-2 FT) and 8 rebounds. 

Jace Hill (6'2 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) contributed 8 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds while Donnie Haney (6'2 Sophomore - Baton Rouge, LA) had 7 points and 5 rebounds. The Pioneers built as much as a 15 point lead with 6:20 to play only to watch the Thunderbirds cut the lead to 2 points with just over a minute to play. Timely free throw shooting down the stretch iced the game for the Pioneers who didn't make a field goal in the final 2:33 of the contest. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 31-80 (39%) from the field and 13-39 (33%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 11-15 at the free throw line. 
• The T-Birds shot 30-67 (45%) from the field and 13-35 (37%) from the 3-point line. UTTC was 7-15 from the free throw line. 
• MCC outrebounded UTTC 51-36. MCC had 19 offensive boards and UTTC had 5.
• United Tribes committed 15 turnovers and MCC had 12. 
• There were 3 ties and 1 lead change in the game. 

The Pioneers end the regular season with a 13-17 record and 6-6 in MonDak Conference play. MCC will host Lake Region State College on Sunday, March 1 in the quarterfinals of the Region XIII Playoffs. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the MCC Centra.