Another Come from Behind Win by the Bucs
The visiting Lake Region State College Royals found themselves up by 14 points with eleven minutes remaining in the game. It was a bit surprising after Dawson had beaten them by 28 points back on November 1st. Dawson outscored them 13-2 over the next four minutes to make it a one possession game going into the homestretch. Dawson eventually tied it up on a free throw from Delray Lilley and then after a steal by Brandon Hymes, took an 84-82 lead on a lay-up by Zakai Owens off a pass from Matt Kinzeler. That was their last field goal of the game, but they went a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to escape with a 90-87 win. The game had the theme "Dribble for a Dream" with Dawson honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Day while welcoming close to 1,000 kids from Glendive, Wibaux, Savage, and Richey.
"I think we were a little over-hyped for this game and got a little carried away on both ends," explained Bucs Coach Joe Peterson. "We forced some shots and turned it over on the offensive end, and rotated too quickly in our press which left the backside exposed. In our half-court defense, we didn't guard the ball as well as we needed to. Fortunately, we didn't panic and we kept chipping away to get back in the game and give us a chance at the end. Good teams find ways to win the close ones and sometimes in different ways."
The first half had six ties and eleven lead changes. Dawson's largest lead was only three points midway through. The Royals led by as much as eight points with 1:30 remaining. Dawson cut into the lead with two straight jumpshots from Ade Onaleye and Kai Guess, but Lake Region finished the half with a traditional three-point play from Dane Hagler. The visitors shot 56% from the field and scored 28 points in the paint while holding the Bucs to 40% from the field and forcing 13 turnovers. Dawson was led in scoring by Mikey Ngoyi's 11 points in 7 minutes. Lake Region used a balanced scoring attack to take a 48-41 half-time lead.
Lake Region came out in the second half ready to take control, forcing a turnover on Dawson's opening possession and scoring the first six points before Matt Kinzeler made three free throws to stop the bleeding for the hosts. They maintained firm control until the final eleven minutes when Dawson began their comeback. Kai Guess led the charge with 13 second half points. The Royal made it interesting down the stretch though. After Owens gave Dawson the 84-82 lead, Dane Hagler responded back with a lay-up to tie the score at 84. Dawson made four straight free throws to take a four point lead, but Lake Region wasn't done. Little Hail Perkins connected from deep to pull them within one point with fifteen seconds remaining. Lake Region was forced to foul and Onaleye made both with nine seconds left. The Royals last gasp attempt bounced off the back of the rim and Aries Lewis collected the rebound to close out the comeback. Dawson made 19-21 (90%) from the free throw line in the second half.
Lake Region lost despite shooting 50% from the field, beating Dawson on the glass and forcing more turnovers. The Bucs biggest advantage came from the free throw line where they went 26-32 for the game (81.3%). Lake Region shot 16-24 (67%).
All five starters for Lake Region scored in double digits, led by Dalen Leftbear's 20 points. Akok Ajou finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Dawson's bench outscored the visitors 43-15, but it was starters Kai Guess (19) and Matthew Kinzeler (17) that led them in scoring. Mikey Ngoyi finished with 13 points and 3 rebounds.
The Bucs move to 15-6 on the season and 3-0 in conference play. They will be back on the road Thursday in North Dakota to take on the Williston State College Tetons at 7:30 pm CST. It will be a rematch of last year's Regional Championship Game in which Dawson won 93-89.
