Dawson Wins Final Non-Conference Test
(pictured: Payton Sanders squeezes by two defenders)
Dawson started the new year the same way they closed out the old year, by beating Northwest College. The Bucs won 83-74 at home on Friday afternoon in their final non-conference game. Damon Gros Ventre led the way with 25 points by making 6 3-pointers.
The two evenly matched teams played back and forth in the first half with 3 ties and 11 lead changes in the opening ten minutes. Northwest eventually took a 21-15 lead before Gros Ventre connected on three straight 3-pointers to provide the Bucs with the advantage. Dawson closed out the half strong and went into the break up 32-27. It was a pretty even first half with both teams shooting 44% from the field.
The offenses for both teams picked up in the second half as both teams shot over 50% from the field. Dawson stayed in control of the game and built their lead up to as many as 14 points, but the Trappers kept battling to keep it close, led by Davion McAdam's 20 second half points. DCC used 7 offensive rebounds to score 10 second chance points and forced 11 turnovers, converting them into 13 more points in the final twenty minutes. Gros Ventre made three more from long range and scored 14 points in the second half. Both teams shot it well from the free throw line as Northwest connected on 14-15 (93%) and Dawson made 16-20 (80%). The Bucs had the advantage in every statistical category except for free throw percentage.
Gros Ventre finished with 25 points and Payton Sanders added 16 points and 5 rebounds. David Ajanaku contributed 11 points. McAdam finished with 27 points for the Trappers.
"It was good to get back on the court and especially in our home gym," commented Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "We played with good effort tonight, diving on the floor, battling on the board and pushing the pace. Our guys worked hard during their two week Christmas break and it showed tonight with our conditioning. We wore them down a little and took advantage of the pace of the game. Payton Sanders was a big spark off the bench with his rebounding and cutting. It's good to see him back to his old form."
The win boosts Dawson to 12-4 on the year and Northwest falls to 12-5.
Dawson will resume conference games on Thursday at Miles before coming home next Sunday and Monday to host North Dakota State College of Science and United Tribes.
