(Editor's note: Miles Community College media releases)
MILES CITY -- The Miles Community College men's and women's basketball teams split a Wednesday doubleheader with North Dakota State College of Science. The MCC women women 57-51, while the MCC men lost 86-85.
Miles Community College women 57, North Dakota State College of Science 51
Lili Long knocked down 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help the MCC Pioneer women survive a serious scare from NDSCS at home in Miles City as the Pioneers held on for a 57-51 win to move to 13-0 on the season.
The Pioneers saw a 13-point second-half lead dwindle to one late before Rebekah Dallinger hit a huge shot to go up by three points and get the stop they needed to hold on and win. Dallinger nearly had a triple-double as she scored 14 points to go along with nine rebounds and nine assists.
Jana Conejero chipped in 13 points and five assists. Olyvia Pacheco returned to the lineup after sitting out the last game with in an injury to lead the team with 10 rebounds.
The two teams will go at it again on Thursday night as the Pioneers will try to remain undefeated during this COVID season.
North Dakota State College of Science men 86, Miles Community College 85
The NDSCS Wildcats took a 14-point lead with just more than three minutes to go before watching the MCC Pioneers' feverish rally just fall short as the Wildcats held on for an 86-85 win in Miles City. The Pioneers cut double-digit leads to one point two different times in the second half but could not find a way to get over the hump.
The Pioneers landed four players in double figures on the night but committed 19 turnovers and could only hit 20 of 31 from the free throw line. Sophomores Jakim Ricketts and Dylan Hushaw each scored 18 points on the night. Hushaw also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists. Las Vegas natives Favour Chukwukelu and Eli Habighorst each finished with 17 points. Chukwukelu also had nine rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Habighorst dished out six assists.
The Wildcats were led by off the bench by RaShaun Parker and Anthony Ignowski, who both scored 19 points. Elijah Lambert scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Ty Horner chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for the game. NDSCS out-rebounded the Pioneers 44-38 on the night and had 15 turnovers compared to 19 for MCC. The teams will battle against Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
