Pioneers 77... Gillette College 87

This was a tale of two halves for the MCC Pioneers as Gillette College rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit for a 87-77 win on Saturday in Gillette to split the season series for the two teams.

The Pioneers got off to a hot start and led by as many as 14 points in the 1st half. MCC hit 10 3-pointers in the half and connected on 50% of their field goal attempts. The 2nd half did not go the way the Pioneers had hoped as Gillette scored the first 10 points of the 2nd half to tie the score and then hit 15-18 FT down the stretch to put the game out of reach. 

Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) scored 21 points (8-17 FG, 2-4 3's, 3-7 FT), had 7 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists to lead the way for the Pioneers. Fellow Maputo native Uwami Chongo (6'8 Sophomore) added 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3's, 5-9 FT) and a team high 11 rebounds. Randy Otieno (6'6 Sophomore - Calgary, Alberta) came off the bench to score 16 points (5-11 FG, 5-10 3's, 1-2 FT) and Jace Hill (6'1 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) added 11 points (4-10 FG, 3-7 3's) and 5 assists. 

Sayad Sayad led the Pronghorns with 32 points (9-23 FG, 2-6 3's, 12-13 FT). Jada Bolok had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Gillette College. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 26-60 (43%) from the field and 11-29 (38%) from 3-point range. MCC was only 14-25 at the free throw line. 
• The Pronghorns shot 30-79 (38%) from the field and 6-17 (35%) from 3-point range. GC was 21-28 at the free throw line. 
• Gillette outrebounded Miles 49-46. The Pronghorns had 12 offensive rebounds and the Pioneers had just 3. 
• The Pioneers committed 19 turnovers (13 in 2nd half) and the Pronghorns had 6. 
• There were 6 ties and 8 lead changes in the game. 

The Pioneers are now 5-5 on the season and will host Dickinson State JV on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM at the MCC Centra.