(DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE – The Dawson Community College basketball men won their eighth game in ten outings to stay one game out of first place with two left.
The Bucs used a 22-4 run in the first half to beat Dakota College at Bottineau 97-68.
Man Man Baker was the big spark for DCC as he scored 10 points in ten minutes of action in the opening half. The home team had 14 steals and converted them into 20 points. They also shot 50% from the field and made 14-15 from the free throw line to help them build the big lead. The Lumberjack’s Dwaine Simmons kept the game respectable by scoring 20 points and hauling in 6 rebounds in the first half before injuring his ankle. Dawson led at the break 57-37.
Jaron Masis opened the second half with a good post-up on the Buc’s first possession and Cam’ron Dunfee scored on an assist from Marcus Stephens to put Dawson up by 24, but the undermanned Lumberjacks fought hard to not let the game get out of hand. Rodrigo Majarin scored 21 in the second half for the visitors, but they never cut the deficit to less than 20 points after the break. Dawson’s largest lead was 33 points with two minutes to go.
All thirteen DCC players contributed in scoring and rebounding; four guys were in double figures and eight players had seven points or more. Baker led the way with 16 points while Kolten Hitt, CJ Nelson and Eric Jackson all scored ten points each. Dawson’s bench outscored the visitors 59-7. Devin Collins contributed 10 rebounds. Baker also finished with 6 steals and Kayden Hitt had 5 steals. The Bucs connected on 50% of their shots from the field and 90% from the free throw line. They dominated the boards 46-23 and scored 18 second chance points. The home team forced 24 turnovers on the night, but also committed 21 turnovers of their own.
“I think we let up on the defensive end tonight and didn’t fly around like we are capable of,” said coach Joe Peterson. “We were content just being average instead of trying to be great. And on the offensive end, we didn’t handle the ball very well. With little pressure, we still made stupid passes and tried to be too cute with the ball. We got away with it tonight, but it could come back to bite us in future games if we don’t get it fixed.”
The win moves Dawson to 18-10 on the season and 9-3 in conference. Williston sits atop the conference with a 10-2 record while Dawson is tied for second with NDSCS. The Bucs travel an hour down the road on Thursday to play rivals Miles Community College at 7:30 pm before returning home for the final game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm vs. Bismarck State College.
Meanwhile, Dawson’s women made it two straight wins with a 74-67 difference at home over Dakota. It was not only a victory for the Lady Buccaneers, but also a huge success promoting their fifth annual Play 4Kay Breast Cancer Awareness and fundraiser.
DCC started slow edging Dakota 13-12 in the first quarter. Dawson went into halftime with an 8-point lead, 41-33. The Lady Bucs led by as many 16 points in the second half, but the Lady Jacks made several 3 pointers to keep them in the game. Dakota made 50% of their 3 pointers, going 8 for 16. However, Dawson had more possessions by outrebounding their opponent 40-24, collecting 14 steals and causing 23 turnovers. The Lady Bucs dominated in 2nd chance points, outscoring Dakota 20-5.
Ejanae Coopwood led the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds, along with 4 steals and 3 assists. Sarah Miranda also had a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while having 2 assists.
“It was good to see lots of support from the community and campus involved in our Play 4Kay event,” said head coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. “It was even more special to collect another victory all the while trying to raise funds for a very caring cause. We were glad to play all of our players who contributed to a victory. We hope to see the same contributions as the regular season comes to an end, and the post season tournament begins.”
The Lady Bucs travel on the road to Badlands rival Miles Community College, which is currently undefeated, on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
