Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Pioneer Women Survive Scare at "The Woodshed"

Pioneer Women Survive Scare at "The Woodshed"
Posted: Feb 16, 2026

Pioneers 81... Dakota College at Bottineau 78

The winless Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks gave the MCC Pioneer women all they could handle on Sunday afternoon in Bottineau, ND. The Lumberjacks came in to the game with an 0-9 MonDak Conference record and were 3-23 overall with only one of those victories against a NJCAA team (D3). 

The Pioneers got off to a good start and built a 23-16 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. DCB battled back to cut the lead to 40-37 at the half. The teams went toe to toe in the 2nd half as each team scored 41 points in the half. 

Holding on to a 81-78 lead late in the game, the Pioneers turned the ball over on a sideline inbounds and the Lumberjacks had an opportunity to send the game to overtime but the Pioneers got a timely steal to run out the clock and hang on for the victory. 

Ebele Mbagwu (Freshman - Bakersfield, CA) had 19 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 FT) and 10 rebounds for another double double. She also added 4 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Laynee Elness (Freshman - Winifred, MT) added 18 points (6-13 FG, 3-8 3's, 3-4 FT) to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Matilda Sanz (Freshman - Madrid, Spain) had 16 points (6-15 FG, 1-5 3's, 3-4 FT) and 4 assists. Pien Draisma (Sophomore - Katwijk, Netherlands) had 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3's). Hailey Dennison (Freshman - Shepherd, MT) had 8 points and 7 rebounds. 

Jersey Vogel scored 26 points (9-21 FG, 4-6 3's, 4-6 FT) to lead the Lumberjacks. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 33-73 (45%) from the field and 7-23 (30%) from the 3-point line. MCC was 8-11 at the free throw line. 
  • The Lumberjacks shot 27-61 (44%) from the field and 10-24 (42%) from the 3-point line. DCB was 14-16 at the free throw line. 
  • MCC outrebounded DCB 33-27. MCC had 12 offensive rebounds and DCB had 7.
  • MCC had a season low 9 turnovers while DCB had 17. 
  • There were 5 ties and 4 lead changes in the game. 

The Pioneers moved to 5-6 in MonDak Conference play and 13-16 overall. MCC will host United Tribes on Sunday, February 22 at 1:00 PM. It will be Sophomore Day at the Centra.