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FT Line Dooms Pioneers as UTTC Scratches Out Win

FT Line Dooms Pioneers as UTTC Scratches Out Win
Posted: Feb 03, 2022

The United Tribes T-Birds rallied from a 13-point 1st half deficit and used a strong performance at the free throw line to sneak out a 89-86 MonDak Conference win Thursday night at the MCC Centra. The T-Birds trailed 48-40 at the half but had a 19-7 advantage at the FT line in the 2nd half outscoring the Pioneers 49-38 in that frame to gain the victory. 

All 5 starters hit double digits for the T-Birds led by Taj Two Bulls (Sioux Falls, SD) with 23 points (9-12 FG, 1-3 3's, 4-4 FT) and guard Sylvester Union (Chicago, IL) with 17 points (5-10 FG, 3-3 3's, 4-6 FT) and 7 rebounds. Tristin Davis (Belcourt, ND) chipped in 16 points (4-13 FG, 1-6 3's, 7-8 FT) to go along with a team high 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Dakari Middleton (Lawrence, KS) had 12 points (3-11 FG, 1-4 3's, 5-6 FT) and 7 rebounds while Jayce Archambault (Cannon Ball, ND) added 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-6 FG, 2-2 FT) and 8 rebounds. 

The Pioneers, who had more field goals and 3-point field goals than the T-Birds, also had 5 players reach double digits on the night. Blessing Adesipe (Houston, TX) accounted for 24 points (9-15 FG, 3-8 3's, 3-3) and 8 rebounds in spite of being in foul trouble in the 2nd half. Tvon Jones (Philadelphia, PN) came off the bench to score 14 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3's, 2-3 FT) and PG Eli Habighorst (Las Vegas, NV) tallied 11 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3's 1-2 FT). Denzel Kabasele (Lancaster, PA) scored 10 points (3-12 FG, 1-2 3's, 3-4 FT) and grabbed 7 rebounds while Shayden Cooke (Melstone, MT) scored 10 points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3's, 3-3 FT) off the bench. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The T-Birds shot 24-30 (80%) at the free throw line and the Pioneers were only able to go 12-15 (80%).
  • The Pioneers were 32-68 (47%) from the field and the T-Birds were 29-66 (44%).
  • At the 3-point line, UTTC hit 7-27 (26%) while MCC was 10-27 (37%). MCC had 23 fouls and UTTC had only 14. 
  • The Pioneers committed 15 turnovers to the T-Birds 12. 
  • The rebounding battle was even at 38. UTTC had 11 offensive boards and MCC 10. 
  • The lead changed hands 7 times in the game and there were 3 ties. 

MCC fell to 3-13 in MonDak Conference play and 6-19 overall. They will travel to Williston State on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM MST. UTTC moved to 7-9 in MonDak play and 13-9 overall.