Pioneers 96... Northwest College 101

The MCC Pioneers scored 34 fourth quarter points and rallied from a 17-point deficit to cut Northwest College lead to 3 points late in the game but the Trappers held on for a 101-96 win on Friday night in Miles City, MT.

Northwest College controlled the contest for most of the night building a 17-point lead midway thru the 2nd quarter and taking a 77-62 lead to the 4th quarter. The Pioneers put on a furious 4th quarter rally and cut the lead to 99-96 with 18 seconds remaining. MCC was unable to foul the Trappers until :04 remained and the Trappers hit 2 free throws to seal the win. 

Matilda Sanz (Freshman - Madrid, Spain) poured in 31 points (12-18 FG, 5-9 3's, 2-2 FT) and added 4 assists with 5 steals to lead the way for the Pioneers. Laynee Elness (Freshman - Winifred, MT) added 20 points (8-17 FG, 1-8 3's, 3-4 FT) while Ebele Mbagwu (Freshman - Bakersfield, CA) put in 19 points (9-10 FG, 1-4 FT) to go along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Jai Baumann (Freshman - Big Sandy, MT) came off the bench to lead the Pioneers with 10 rebounds. Kataya Kill Eagle (Freshman - Dodson, MT) added 14 points (4-10 FG, 2-4 3's, 4-6 FT) off the bench. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 34-65 (52%) from the field and 8-24 (33%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 20-32 from the free throw line. 
• The Trappers shot 35-83 (42%) from the field and 9-29 (31%) from the 3-point line. NWC was 22-33 from the free throw line. 
• Northwest College nearly doubled up the Pioneers in rebounds. NWC had 49 rebounds to 25 for MCC. NWC piled up 28 offensive boards. MCC had just 8.
• The Trappers had 18 turnovers to 14 for the Pioneers. 
• NWC had 31 2nd chance points to just 8 for MCC. 
• The teams combined for 48 fouls and 65 free throws. 

MCC is now 2-3 on the season and hosts Gillette College on Saturday at 2:00 PM in the final day of the Foundation Classic.