Pioneers 67... United Tribes 90

The United Tribes Thunderbirds knocked down 14 3-pointers and got 29 points and 12 rebounds from Sapphire Lablanc as the Pioneers dropped a 90-67 decision on opening day of the 2025-26 season. 

The Pioneers took 10 more field goal attempts in the game after taking advantage of 16 steals but could only hit 31% (22-70) of their total field goal attempts. MCC hit just 7-34 (20%) from the 3-point line and just 15-36 (42%) of their 2-point field goals. 

The Pioneers got a game high points from Laynee Elness (Freshman - Winifred, MT) with 16 points (5-16 FG, 4-11 3's, 2-2 FT) to go along with 7 rebounds. Pien Draisma (Sophommore - Katwijk, Netherlands) added 13 points (4-16 FG, 1-9 3's, 4-6 FT) and Matilda Sanz (Freshman - Madrid, Spain) chipped in 12 points (4-13 FG, 0-4 3's, 4-6 FT). Aimilia Manousi (Freshman - Thessaloniki, Greece) came off the bench to score 11 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3's, 1-2 FT).

Hailey Dennison (Freshman - Shepherd, MT) had 7 rebounds. 

The Pioneers are 0-1 and play Dakota College at Bottineau Saturday afternoon at 12:45 PM MDT at 4 Bears Event Center. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Pioneers shot 31% (22-70) from the field and 20% (7-34) at the free throw line. MCC was 16-22 at the free throw line. 
• The Thunderbirds shot 48% (29-60) from the field and 14-34 (40%) from the 3-point line. UTTC was 18-31 at the free throw line. 
• The T-Birds outrebounded the Pioneers 47-32. MCC had 8 offensive boards and UTTC had 7. 
• UTTC had 20 turnovers and MCC had 14. 
• The T-Birds biggest lead of the game was the margin of the final score.