Cold Shooting Dooms Bucs

February 6, 2024

Feb 5, 2024

The visiting North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats snapped Dawson's 24 game home winning streak and took firm control of the Mondak Conference race on Monday night with their 90-77 victory. Dawson's last loss at home was to the same Wildcats 76-74 on January 31st, 2022. Monday's game looked like it would be a barn-burner as the teams battled back and forth, but Dawson could never get their shooting going, finishing the night making only 5-28 (18%) from 3-point range.

"It was a disappointing night," shared Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "I thought we played really well for the most part, but our shots just weren't falling. If we could've rebounded better, then even without shooting well, we would've given ourselves a chance. We feel blessed to have such great fans. Our students were awesome tonight and the place was rocking. I wish we could've given them more to cheer for."

In the first half there were eight ties and two lead changes. The Bucs went up 13-6 early on after a quick 7-0 run. NDSCS pulled back within a point on a 3-pointer by Benjamin Fort that put the score at 15-14 with nine minutes remaining. A very low score for these two high scoring teams. In the final nine minutes of the first half, the largest lead for either team was three points. The visitors closed the half with two free throws by Fort to take a 34-32 lead into the locker room.

The Wildcats scored on seven straight possessions in the beginning of the second half. Justin Asi tried to keep Dawson close by scoring their first ten points, but it wasn't enough as NDSCS built a 53-42 lead. They maintained a comfortable advantage for most of the way until Dawson pulled within three points (76-73) on a traditional three-point play by Seth Amunrud with 3:21 remaining. Dawson came up empty on their next six possessions and fell behind by ten points with little time remaining. NDSCS made their free throws down the stretch and iced the game and the conference championship race. The win gives the Wildcats a 24-1 overall record and 15-1 mark in conference with five games left.

NDSCS outrebounded Dawson 48-34 overall and 17-10 on the offensive end. They won second chance points 20-9 and their bench outscored Dawson 49-24. The biggest advantage the visitors had though was from the 3-point line where they shot 43% compared to Dawson's 18%.

Aaron Williams came off the bench to score 25 points for the Wildcats and Benjamin Fort had 20 off the bench.

Justin Asi went a perfect 8-8 from the field and 3-3 from the 3-point line to lead Dawson with 21 points before fouling out. Roniel Oguekwe scored 18 points.

Dawson drops to 20-5 overall and 13-3 in conference.