Pioneers 69... Chandler Gilbert 73

Chandler Gilbert rallied past the MCC Pioneers for a 73-69 win on Monday afternoon in Chandler, Arizona. The Pioneers came out strong and built a 39-26 lead with about 4 minutes remaining in the 1st half but were held scoreless the rest of the half and the Coyotes cut the lead to 39-36 at the halftime break. 

The CGCC run continued to the 2nd half as they took a 41-39 lead ending a 15-0 run by the Coyotes. The 2nd half went back and forth with the neither team leading by more than 3 points to the end and the Coyotes put a clamp on the game late with a shot clock buzzer beating shot that gave them a 3-point lead with 1 minute remaining. The Pioneers could not get the shot to tie the game and a offensive rebound and free throw by CGCC put the game on ice. 

Uwami Chongo (6'8 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) came off the bench to score 20 points (7-15 FG, 4-8 3's, 2-2 FT) and grab 8 rebounds. Azenio Cossa (6'3 Sophomore - Maputo, Mozambique) added 18 points (7-15 FG, 0-2 3's, 4-7 FT). Jace Hill (6'1 Sophomore - Columbia Falls, MT) had a team high 6 assists in the game. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 26-60 (43%) from the field and 10-25 (40%) from 3-point range. MCC was 7-12 (58%) from the free throw line. 
• The Coyotes shot 30-60 (50%) from the field and 3-9 (33%) from 3-point range. CGCC was 10-18 (56%) from the free throw line. 
• Miles was outrebounded 35-26. Chandler Gilbert had 9 offensive rebounds and MCC had just 4.
• Each team had 12 turnovers. 
• MCC had 13 assists and CGCC had 12.

The Pioneers fall to 7-10 on the season and will finish their Arizona holiday trip with a game on Wednesday afternoon at South Mountain CC at 1:00 before returning home to start MonDak Conference play.