Pioneers 97... Dakota College 65

The MCC Pioneer men's basketball team got the 2024-25 season off on the right foot with a balanced scoring attack as they defeated the Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks 97-65 in the season opener at 4 Bears Event Center in New Town, ND.

The Pioneers shot 51% (19-37) in the 1st half to build a 46-28 halftime lead. 

Azenio Cossa (6'2 Freshman, Maputo, Mozambique) led 5 Pioneers in double figures with 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-6 3's, 0-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots. Jace Hill (6'1 Freshman, Columbia Falls, MT) came off the bench and scored 14 points (5-5 FG, 4-4 FT) to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The inside presence of Koak Kok (6'7 Sophomore - Ulan, South Sudan) scored 13 points (6-11 FG, 1-2 FT) to go along with 9 rebounds and 4 assists while Mack Page (6-4 Sophomore - Worland, WY) added 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3's). Yohandre Ortiz (6'4 Freshman - Naples, FL) added 12 points (5-10 FG, 0-3 3's, 2-4 FT) 

The Pioneers will now play Lake Region State College in the semifinal of the MonDak Conference preseason tipoff tournament at 6:00 PM MDT. 

Inside the Box Score

• MCC shot 41-75 (55%) from the field and 7-20 (35%) from the 3-point line. The Pioneers were 8-13 from the free throw line. 
• DCB shot 27-74 (37%) from the field and 8-33 (24%) from the 3-point line. The Jacks were 3-4 from the free throw line. 
• The Pioneers dished out 30 assists in the game and had 13 turnovers. 
• DCB had 21 assists and 21 turnovers. 
• DCB outrebounded MCC 43-41. DCB had 17 offensive rebounds and MCC had 10. 
• The Pioneers had 12 steals in the game.