NDSCS downs DCC 77-53 in Region XIII Semifinals
The visiting Dawson Community College Buccaneers started strong, getting out of the gates with an early 13-10 lead, but their shooting went dry about halfway through the first half and they went for over 6 minutes without scoring. NDSCS scored 17 unanswered to take the lead 27-13. MonDak Conference Player of the Year James Bateman keyed the run with a couple of traditional 3 point plays and Gach Gach hit 4 3-pointers in the first half. Except for that one stretch, the rest of the game was pretty even throughout. The Wildcats took a 39-23 lead at intermission. The Bucs only shot 26% from the field in the first half and turned it over 12 times.
NDSCS kept the lead at a comfortable margin in the 2nd half and cruised to a 24 point victory. The 9th ranked Wildcats earned their 30th victory of the year with only 1 loss and will move on to the Regional Championship Game where they will host Williston State College on Sunday afternoon. Batemon finished with 15 points, Gach with 18 points on 6 3-pointers and Melvin Newbern had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Brendon Chevannes led the way for the Buccaneers with 23 points and 5 rebounds.
It was the third consecutive year that NDSCS has ended DCC’s season in the playoffs; the past two were in the Regional Championship Game. DCC Coach Joe Peterson commented, “It’s always disappointing when your season comes to an end and for 99% of the teams in the country it ends on a low note, but our guys have a lot to be proud of. They have worked hard and really improved individually and as a team. We have had some good wins this year and given the college and the town a lot to be proud of.”
DCC graduates 6 sophomores who played significant minutes this season so Coach Peterson has his work cut out for him on the recruiting trail.
