Pioneers 82... North Idaho College 90

The MCC Pioneers missed 9 free throws in the 1st half and12 total in a game that was tight from wire to wire as North Idaho edged the Pioneers 90-82 on Friday night in Coeur d' Alene, ID. 

Ne'quan Brown (6'8 Sophomore - Tacoma, WA) scored 23 points (8-15 FG, 1-6 3's, 6-10 FT), grabbed 6 rebounds, and had 7 assists to lead the way for the Cardinals in a game that featured 16 ties and 8 lead changes. Neither team held a double digit lead until the final minute of the contest. Gage Ontiveros (6'10 Sophomore - Pocatello, ID) added 20 points (9-13 FG, 2-2 FT) and 6 rebounds. Austin Ouko (6'7 Freshman - Switzerland) chipped in 15 points (5-8 FG, 4-7 3's, 1-2 FT) and Ajayi Simmons (6'8 Sophomore - Seattle, WA) led the Cardinals with 11 rebounds. 

The Pioneers controlled much of the 1st half but fell victim to a 7-16 performance from the free throw line that kept the Pioneers from building a bigger lead. MCC was led by Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) with 27 points (9-18 FG, 1-3 3's, 8-15 FT), 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. Fellow Maputo native Uwami Chongo (6'8 Sophomore) had 12 points (5-10 FG, 0-3 3's, 2-2 FT) and frontline mate Shad Boyce (6'8 Freshman - Winifred, MT) also had 12 points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3's, 4-6 FT) and 7 rebounds. Donnie Haney (6'2 Sophomore - Baton Rouge, LA) had 10 points (2-8 FG, 2-6 3's, 4-5 FT). 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 26-62 (42%) from the field and 8-26 (31%) from the 3-point line. The Pioneers were 22-34 at the free throw line. 
• The Cardinals shot 33-70 (47%) from the field and 10-31 (32%) at the free throw line. The Cardinals were 14-20 at the free throw line. 
• NIC outrebounded the Pioneers 40-25. The Cardinals had 12 offensive rebounds to just 5 for the Pioneers. 
• MCC had 11 turnovers and NIC had 12. 

The Pioneers fell to 6-6 on the season and NIC is 7-2. The Pioneers will play Big Bend CC on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM MST in Coeur d' Alene, ID.