(DCC release)
GLENDIVE - The streak is finally over.
Camron Dunfee made a free throw with five seconds remaining to give the Dawson Community College men a 96-95 win over Miles Community College Saturday, giving the Bucs their first Region XIII Championship in 49 years.
After leading most of the game Dawson found themselves down by 1 with 43 seconds remaining and Man Man Baker got to the basket and was fouled. Baker hit the first and missed the second, but teammate Devin Collins snagged the offensive rebound and Kolten Hitt scored with 19 seconds left to give Dawson the two point advantage.
Deondre Northey answered back quickly for Miles with a drive and bucket to tie the score at 95. The Bucs didn't waste any time getting the ball in and down the court to Dunfee in the corner who drove and drew the contact at the rim. He missed the first and made the second with 5 seconds left. Jakim Ricketts desperation heave at the buzzer was no where close and the Bucs clinched the championship. It was their 17th straight win and the 100th win of Coach Joe Peterson's five year tenure at Dawson.
"I'm just so happy for these guys," Peterson said. "They have put in so much time and effort into this program and into each other. They have bought into our system and have made so many sacrifices for the team. It's always good to see the fruits of your labor."
Peterson was awarded the Region XIII Coach of the Year award and CJ Nelson was named the Region XIII Tournament MVP. Nelson had 12 points and 4 assists in the championship game and 16 points in the semifinal.
The game included 13 ties and 10 lead changes. Six guys were in double figures for Dawson who shot 40.3% from the field and 54.5% from 3-point range.
NEXT: Dawson will play in the District Championship game on Thursday at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.
