(Editor's note: Miles Community College media releases)
WILLISTON, N.D. -- The Miles Community College men's and women's basketball teams earned a crucial late-season sweep at Williston State on Monday. The MCC women stayed in a tie for the top spot in the MonDak Conference with a 75-60 win, while the MCC men rallied for an 80-73 victory to remain tied for second in the conference standings.
Miles Community College women 75, Williston State 60
Sophomore point guard Binta Salawu scored 27 points and Kate Golovkina contributed 14 and the MCC women stayed in a tie for the top spot of the MonDak Conference standings and a chance to host the Region 13 Playoffs with a 75-60 win over Williston State. Golovkina was filling in for injured Lili Long, who sprained her ankle on Thursday against Dakota College-Bottineau.
The Pioneers bolted to a 13-0 lead four minutes into the game and led 21-9 after one quarter. Williston State chipped away in the second and third quarters, cutting the lead to one point midway through the third quarter before MCC pulled away in the fourth. Olyvia Pacheco led MCC on the boards with 11 as the Pioneers out-rebounded the Tetons 43-41. Pachecho, Claire Borot and KP Hoffman each scored nine points in the victory. MCC shot 40 percent from the field but only 24 percent from the 3-point line (5 of 21). Williston connected on 37 percent of its field goal attempts and was 7 of 13 from the 3-point line. The Pioneer defense forced 19 Teton turnovers and turned that into 20 points.
Williston State was led by Gabriella Capasso with 17 points while Grace Lupumba hauled in 17 rebounds.
The Pioneers will travel to Glendive on Thursday night to take on Dawson Community College and will continue to try to defend last year's league title.
Miles Community College men 80, Williston State 73
Sophomore forwards Gedeon Buzangu and Issac Abergut combinded for 34 points and 26 rebounds on Monday night as MCC rallied from an early 16-2 hole for an 80-73 MonDak Conference victory at The Well against Williston State. Favour Chukwukelu led the Pioneers in scoring with 21 points of 7-of-13 shooting, including a 5-of-6 effort from 3-point range, and Jayvon Lewis led the team with six assists.
The Pioneers remained tied for second in conference standings (9-3 MonDak, 17-10 overall).
The Pioneers shot 49 percent from the field for the game after the cold start and hit 5 of 10 3s in the second half as they outscored the Tetons 45-35 in the second half. The Pioneer defense held Williston to just 33 percent shooting on the game (25 of 74 from the floor, 10 of 30 on 3s). MCC held a huge edge on the boards, 50-31, to help overcome 20 turnovers. Both teams shot well from the free throw line as the Pioneers finished 12 of 14 and the Tetons were 13 of 14. The game saw eight ties and 11 lead changes.
The Tetons were led by Shae Linton-Brown with 24 points and Jonathan Komagum with 18 points and nine rebounds in the loss. The Tetons fell to 4-8 MonDak and 13-14 overall.
The Pioneers will head to Glendive on Thursday to play league-leading Dawson at 7:30 p.m.
