(DCC release)
WILLISTON, N.D. – The Dawson Community College Buccaneers got a much needed sweep at Williston State College Thursday night in a Mon-Dak Conference double-header.
The DCC women snapped a 3-game losing streak by defeating the Lady Tetons of Williston State College in Williston, ND 79-67. It was a much-needed win for the Lady Buccaneers as they were on the brink of possibly sinking at the bottom of the conference.
Dawson won three out of four quarters and lead by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. Despite being outworked in a few categories, Dawson had just too much firepower and would shoot 47% from the field and 36% from the 3-point line. Dawson also had 12 steals with only 11 turnovers. Williston had 4 steals and 18 turnovers.
Alexius Foster had a huge double-double, leading the game with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Foster also contributed 2 steals and shoot 100%, going 6-6 from the foul line.
“It was great to have this win with the conference coming to an end,” said head coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. “We need all the momentum we can get at this point. We are proud of the girls coming together and realizing it’s all on them to perform to their highest potential to pick up any and all wins. Much props to them.”
The DCC men meanwhile avenged their only conference home loss by returning the favor to the Tetons.
It didn’t look like that would be the case for most of the night. WSC had a sizable lead almost all game including double digit margins in both halves and were up by 14 with a little over eight minutes remaining, but Dawson outscored them by 18 in the final eight minutes to win 82-78. Before the game, Williston was alone in first place with a 9-1 conference record and had beaten Dawson in the pre-season tournament by 20 and again last month in Glendive by 10.
In the first half, Anthony Davis Jr led Williston with 14 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field, including 3-3 from long range. Leading scorer James Jones chipped in with 10 points. No one from Dawson was in double figures in the opening half and the Tetons shot 47% from the field while holding Dawson to 35% shooting. The Bucs had their biggest lead four minutes into the game when they were up by six points but that didn’t last long. Williston went up by 10 with eight minutes left and stayed in control.
Marcus Stephens finished with 27 points. C.J. Nelson had 18 points and Man Man Baker finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Williston had four guys in double figures led by James Jones with 22.
“Williston is so athletic and so talented that they can wow you at times, but I love how our guys kept fighting for forty minutes,” said DCC head coach Joe Peterson. “Eventually our depth helped to wear them down and started forcing turnovers late. Marcus hit some big shots and CJ was tough down the stretch, but I love how this group sticks together through thick and thin. They have each other’s backs and truly care about each other. Even when we are down, they don’t turn on each other. Our character is one of our greatest assets as a team.”
The win improves Dawson to 17-10 on the season and 8-3 in conference. They are just one game behind Williston and NDSCS who are deadlocked in a tie for first place at 9-2.
Dawson will host their annual Play 4Kay Pink Night Monday against Dakota College at Bottineau. Play 4Kay is the national campaign for breast cancer awareness and research fundraiser promoted by women’s and girls’ basketball across the country. Many raffle prizes will be awarded along with free admission to fans who wear predominantly pink attire. The women’s game tips off at 5:30 p.m., with the men following at 7:30 p.m.
