The Pioneers Outlast the Bucs in a Triple Overtime Thriller
DCC lose 109-118
In one of the most exciting, entertaining games of the college basketball season that was filled with big shot after big shot, the Miles Community College Pioneers finally took control in the third overtime by scoring the first 9 points and going on to win 118-109.
It didn’t look like they would need extra time as they went up by two with 4 seconds to go in regulation on free-throws by Adoum Mbang. Down 76-74, the Bucs threw the inbounds pass to Brent Finn who took it length of the court for a lay-up as time expired. In the first overtime, the Bucs took control but the Pioneers battled back again. DCC still clung to a 3-point lead with 4.5 seconds remaining when Pioneers guard Montenia Nelson drove down and pitched it back to Kameron Rauch who sank a 23 footer over two defenders to send it into a 2nd overtime. The 2nd overtime was a mirror of the first and the Bucs once again held a three point lead with only 3 seconds remaining. This time Mbang caught a pass at the top of the key and turned around and nailed a contested three-pointer to send it into a third overtime. It was only his 3rd 3-pointer of the year. DCC struggled to score in the third overtime and Miles outscored them 23-13 to win the game.
At the beginning of the game, it looked like DCC was going to blow out the visitors from down the road. They jumped out to a 28-7 lead early on behind strong play from Daniel Shedden, Brent Finn and Brendon Chevannes. The DCC bench outscored MCC 15-0 in the opening half and DCC outshot them 45% to 31% from the field. The key to DCC’s strong play was forcing 10 turnovers and scoring 17 points off those turnovers. Shedden finished the half with 13 points and Nelson scored 14 for Miles. DCC went into the locker room with a 47-30 lead.
Miles came out strong in the 2nd half and cut the deficit right away by shooting 51% from the field and 50% from the 3-point line in the 2nd half. Dawson’s bench continued to dominate with 53 points for the game, but Montenia Nelson kept the Pioneers in the game all night long by hitting tough shots whenever they needed one. Nelson finished with 47 points on 14-35 shooting from the field. The Bucs received balance scoring by getting 26 points and 12 rebounds from Stefan Stubbs, 26 points and 9 rebounds from Kolton Wall, 16 points from Brent Finn and Shedden’s 13.
It was about as evenly matched of a game as you could have. Both teams shot 77% from the free-throw line and 38% from the 3-point line. Dawson had 12 steals and Miles had 11. Dawson had a 1 rebound advantage. There were 9 ties and 10 lead changes through the night. The fans got their money’s worth in this one with an entertaining, wild basketball game.
Coach Peterson had this to say, “I really hate losing, anytime and anywhere; but I was extremely proud of the effort our guys gave. They left everything on the floor and competed all night long. They could have given up when some of our guys were out of the game, or after Miles made the big comeback or after the big shot to send it to double overtime, but they kept fighting all the way to the end. Even though I wish we could have pulled out the win, I know this game will make us better and will help us when we get to the playoffs. I thought we played those game ending situations very well, but they hit some really tough shots. So you have to give them credit. I love coaching these guys and can’t wait to get back on the court Thursday at Bismarck!”
The Bucs will travel to Bismarck State to play their final Mon-Dak Conference game on Thursday night at 7:30 pm. The winner of that game will finish 4th and host a first round playoff game on Sunday.
