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Top Seeded NDSCS Uses 2nd Half Rally to End Pioneer Season in Semifinals

Top Seeded NDSCS Uses 2nd Half Rally to End Pioneer Season in Semifinals
Posted: Mar 06, 2026

Pioneers 77... NDSCS 89

The final game of the 2025-26 Pioneer men's basketball season was a tale of 2 halves. The Pioneers took to the road on Wednesday night in Wahpeton, ND and built a 37-26 halftime lead over the top seeded Wildcats. What happened in the 2nd half is something the Pioneers would like to forget. 

NDSCS took advantage of 9 Pioneer turnovers in the 2nd half and hit 22-35 field goal attempts enroute to 63 2nd half points to advance to the Region XIII Championship with a 89-77 win over the Pioneers. The Wildcats used a 16-3 run early in the 2nd half after the Pioneers had built a 14-point first half advantage. The remainder of the 2nd half was back and forth until stellar free throw shooting for the Wildcats stretched the lead to the final result. 

The Pioneers shot 48% in the 1st half to just 38% for the Wildcats to build the lead at halftime. Pioneer turnovers and Wildcat free throws turned out to be the demise of the Pioneers. The Wildcats hit 12-15 free throws in the 2nd hlaf compared to just 4-5 for MCC. 

NDSCS got 28 points (11-20 FG, 5-12 3's, 1-1 FT) from center Jikany Deang and 23 points (6-10 FG, 4-7 3's, 7-7 FT) from guard John Angau to lead the way for the Wildcats. 

MCC had 5 players hit for double figures in the loss. Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) had 19 points (9-20 FG, 1-4 3's, 0-3 FT), 7 rebounds, and 4 assists in his final game as a Pioneer. He finished his career with 1,135 points in Pioneer blue. Backcourt mate Jace Hill (6'2 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) added 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3's, 2-3 FT) and Donnie Haney (6'2 Sophomore - Baton Rouge, LA) added 11 points. Randy Otieno (6'6 Sophomore - Calgary, Alberta) had 10 points and 6 rebounds. Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) had 10 points and 8 rebounds. 

The Pioneers finish the season with a 14-18 record. NDSCS moves to 26-5 and will host the Region XIII Championship on Sunday. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 30-63 (48%) from the field and 11-30 (37%) from 3-point range. MCC was just 6-10 from the free throw line. 
  • The Wildcats shot 33-64 (52%) from the field and 11-32 (34%) from 3-point range. NDSCS was 12-17 at the free throw line. 
  • MCC had 12 turnovers and NDSCS had 7.
  • NDSCS outrebounded the Pioneers 37-32. NDSCS had 11 offensive boards and MCC had 9. 
  • There were 6 ties and 8 lead changes in the game.