DCC Sweeps Stone Child College with a 102-86 win
It was a lot tougher this time around, but DCC still escaped with a double digit victory. When they played back in December, the Bucs won by 60 points, 119-59. Stone Child had some additions to their roster for this game and they shot the ball well from outside. In fact, Stone Child took the lead early on when Chris Brown made a basket inside. Brent Finn responded with a 3-pointer on the other end, but then Randall Gardipee also hit a 3-pointer and a driving basket to put the visitors up 7-3. It went back and forth until Gardipee made another basket to give Stone Child a 15-12 lead with 14:46 remaining in the first half. That was the last lead they would have in the game. Finn made 3-pointers on two consecutive possessions for the Bucs who maintained control for the remainder of the half, even though they couldn’t quite push that lead to double digits. Taylan Barrett made a 3-pointer in the final minute to give Dawson their largest lead of the opening half at 47-38. The Bucs shots 55% from the 3-point line and 89% from the free throw line in the first half, though they allowed Stone Child to hang around by turning it over 11 times. Finn led the way with 11 points in the half and Simon Falokun added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Anfernee Standing Rock scored 13 and Chris Brown scored 10 for the visitors.
DCC built on their lead at the start of the second half with a fast break lay-up by Tate Savoie, but Stone Child came right back with a 3-pointer by Chris Brown and a lay-up by Jake Parker to make it a six point game at 49-43. That was the closest they would get for the rest of the night as the Bucs answered back with a couple of free throws and an inside bucket by Falokun, and then a 3-pointer by Tyrel Harper. Dawson built a 20 point lead 7 times in the 2nd half, but just couldn’t quite put the pesky visitors away. Stone Child kept hanging around by knocking down nine 3-pointers in the second half and thirteen for the game. The home team also shot the ball well, making 10-21 from long range, shooting 49% from the field and 78% from the free throw line. They also dominated the boards once again. This time their advantage was 54-28. They collected 85% of the defensive rebounds and 48% of the offensive rebounding opportunities.
It was a balanced effort with all 12 players getting in the scoring column and all 12 players collecting a rebound. Falokun led the way with 22 points on 8-12 shooting from the field and 6-6 from the free throw line. He also led the team in rebounding with 12 (6 offensive and 6 defensive). Harper contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds. Finn finished with 14 points and Barrett added 13 points and 5 rebounds. For the visitors, Gardipee tallied 22 points, Brown had 17 and Junior Day Child had 12 points to go along with 10 assists.
The win moves Dawson to 17-6 on the year. They will resume conference play on Monday at Bismarck State College before returning home next Thursday to play Williston State College. Thursday’s game will be their annual Barefoot Coaching Night where the coaches for all of the teams will be coaching barefoot to raise awareness of the millions of people worldwide who don’t have proper footwear. Fans are encouraged to bring a new pair of shoes to donate or give money to support the cause.
