Bucs Get Back on Track Against Williston

The Dawson Buccaneers regained their winning ways with an 86-80 win at Williston State College on Sunday afternoon. The win boosts the Bucs to 16-4 overall and 9-2 in the conference. Dawson shot 52% from the field and 62% from the 3 point line in the game, but the Tetons outrebounded them 35-26. The game included 8 ties and 8 lead changes.

"Williston played harder than we did tonight," shared Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "They got the loose balls and kicked our tail on the boards. They just wanted it more. Fortunately Ty Buckmon kept us in it in the first half and our pressure eventually wore them down. Jordan Jasper gave us a big lift off the bench in the second half getting some steals and easy buckets. We have to play with more fire and a greater sense of urgency for the entire game."

Dawson opened the game with a 3-pointer from Buckmon and another one from Seth Amunrud in the first twenty seconds before Williston scored the next eleven points. The Tetons built an eight point lead with seven minutes remaining in the first half. Dawson had a hard time taking care of the ball, coughing it up 13 times in the opening twenty minutes, which led to 19 points. The visitors came storming back with Demetric Kindle getting a fast break lay-up and then stealing the inbounds to get another easy one. Dawson eventually pulled within a point to go into the break down 38-37. Brady Feller led the Tetons with 12 points and Buckmon contributed 14 points for Dawson.

The second half was a little bit of a different story. Dawson took better care of the ball themselves and started forcing some turnovers of their own while Williston began knocking down some 3-pointers. It was back and forth for most of the second half until the Bucs took charge in the final five minutes to build up a twelve point cushion with 1:25 remaining.

Rex Stirling had a game high 19 points and 9 rebounds for Williston. Ty Buckmon led Dawson with 18 points on 6-9 shooting from the field and 4-5 from the 3-point line. Seth Amunrud also went 4-5 from the 3-point line and finished with 16 points. Jordan Jasper rounded out the double figure scorers for Dawson with 14 points.

After playing the past three games on the road, Dawson will return home for five straight games starting with a matchup against the 14-5 Dakota College Lumberjacks on Thursday night at 7:30 pm.