Dawson Wins Final Regular Season Game Against Miles

The Dawson Buccaneers wrapped up the regular season with a 78-61 win over the Miles Community
College Pioneers on Sunday afternoon in Glendive. The Bucs head into the playoffs with a 23-7 record
overall, 17-4 in conference, and will be the #2 seed in the Region Tournament. They finished the regular
season with a perfect 12-0 record at home.

Dawson jumped out to an early 14-6 lead behind triples from Aidan Fishell, Chris Davidson and two from
Charlie Kruer. Miles got back into the game to pull within one point at 28-27 on Denzel Kabasele's only
field goal of the game with 8:44 remaining. Then Dawson went on a 9-1 run before David Gorianski
responded with a dunk for the Pioneers. Dawson scored the next seven points; five of them from
Aleksis Nika. The Bucs finished the half strong to go into the break with a 54-35 lead. They shot 51%
from the field and 53% from the 3-point line in the opening half while holding Miles to 34% shooting.
Both offenses slowed down in the second half. The Bucs boosted the lead to as many as 23 points, but
the Pioneers eventually cut it to only 12 at 64-52. That was the closest the game ever got as Dawson
cruised to another double digit win. Dawson had the rebounding advantage, turnover advantage and
shooting advantage in every category. The only advantages the visitors had were in points in the paint
and second chance points.

"The second half wasn't pretty tonight," shared Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "We were taking great
shots, but they just weren't falling. The positive part is that our defense stayed consistent throughout
the night and we held down their top two scorers and two of the best players in the conference. It
wasn't pretty, but it doesn't have to be pretty; it just needs to be effective. Proud of the effort and the
amazing atmosphere our crowd provided tonight. It was a special night."

Dawson celebrated its sophomores before the game as well as a Missing and Murdered Indigenous
Women Awareness Event throughout the day.

Dawson had a very balanced attack with nine players scoring at least six points. They were led by
sophomore Aidan Fishell's 12 points and 5 rebounds. Chris Davidson was the only other Buc in double
figures with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Payton Kokot led Miles with 20 points.

Dawson enters the Region XIII Tournament as the #2 seed and will get a first round bye. They will play in
the semifinals Saturday in Wahpeton, ND against the winner of the Lake Region vs. Bismarck State game.