Bucs Start Season in Style
In the Buster Gillis Mon-Dak Conference Tip-off Tournament, the Dawson Buccaneers opened the college basketball season with a 110-56 trouncing of Bismarck State College. It was the 9th straight year Dawson has won their season opener. The Bucs outrebounded the Mystics 46-29, forced 33 turnovers on the night and took 85 shots, compared to Bismarck's 44 shots.
Justin Asi got the scoring going in the early minutes with three three-pointers and Dawson jumped out to a 17-8 lead in the first eight minutes. Then the Bucs cranked up the defensive pressure and exploded on a 29-3 run to blow open the game. Asi finished the half with 13 points. Kur Maler scored 11 points and Seth Amunrud had 10 points in the opening twenty minutes. Dawson forced 21 turnovers and scored 26 points off those turnovers before half-time. They had 16 assists on their 22 field goals. The early outburst included 55% shooting from the field and 9-19 shooting from 3-point range (47%) and 10-13 from the charity stripe (77%) to take a 63-27 advantage into the break. About the only thing that Dawson did wrong was give up a 35 foot buzzer beater to end the half.
The second half didn't get any better for the Bismarck State Mystics. They only turned it over 12 times in the second half, but their shooting percentages also dipped to 38% from the field and 28% from the 3-point line. It was never a contest and the Bucs outscored the Mystics 47-29 in the second half. For the game, Dawson outrebounded BSC 19-3 on the offensive glass, leading to a 21-6 advantage in second chance points. Dawson shot 50% from the field, 38% from the 3-point line and 73% from the free throw line.
"It was a great way to start the season," commented Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "I loved the way we buckled down and defended and I loved how unselfish we played. These guys have worked really hard through the off-season and in our pre-season, and I think they were excited and ready to show everyone what they are capable of."
Eleven Bucs got into the scoring column and six reached double figures. Asi led the way, finishing with 18 points by going 7-9 from the field and 4-6 from the 3-point line. Amunrud finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Brandon Hymes contributed 13 points, Matt Kinzeler had 12 points (4-5 3's), Maler had 11 points and Jordan Jasper had 10 points. Carter Zeller led Bismarck with 12 points.
Dawson will play in the semifinals at the 4Bears Event Center in New Town, ND on Saturday night around 8:45 CST vs. Williston State College.
