Mpoyo’s 36 Points Keeps Dawson Undefeated
(pictured: David Ajanaku)
The Dawson Buccaneers stayed undefeated by riding the hot hand of Joe Mpoyo to secure the victory in their first home conference game beating the visiting Bismarck State Mystics 92-84. The 6'4 sophomore finished with 36 points by going 12-16 from the field, 8-11 from 3-point range and 4-4 from the free throw line. He scored 13 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer at the end of the half to cap a 12-0 run and help the Bucs re-take the lead going into half-time, 44-43.
Bismarck shot the ball well from long range as well, going 7-11 in the first half. Jaden Hamilton led the way for the visitors by scoring 18 points in the first half to help spark their run. The Mystics shot 59% from the field and 64% from 3-point range in the opening half. Dawson shot 50% and 47% from 3-point range, but also forced 7 turnovers.
Dawson locked up better on defense in the second half, holding Bismarck to 3-13 shooting from long range and forcing nine more turnovers. The Bucs shooting cooled a little as well, but they managed to get to the free throw line 20 times and converted 14 of those attempts. Dawson never relinquished their lead in the second half and broke the game open by building an 18 point lead with seven minutes remaining. Bismarck didn’t quit though and closed the gap at the end.
“We didn’t play up to our potential tonight,” explained Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. We stopped doing the things that made us successful in the first four games of the season like defending and rebounding. We aren’t the type of team that will overwhelm anyone with our talent, so we have to do the little things to give ourselves a chance in every game. Thank God for Joe Mpoyo. He put us on his back and carried us on both ends of the floor.”
To go along with Mpoyo's 36 points, Aidan Fishell and Payton Sanders chipped in 11 points each. Ten Buccaneers scored on the night.
Hamilton finished with 22 points for Bismarck while Tobias Patton and Jayden Bernard each contributed 11 points.
Dawson is undefeated in conference and sitting atop of the standings at 4-0, but have three more conference games this week. The Bucs will travel to Miles Tuesday, play at home vs. Williston on Thursday and then play at NDSCS on Saturday.
