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Pioneers Win 2 OT Thriller Over Dawson in Region XIII Playoffs

Pioneers Win 2 OT Thriller Over Dawson in Region XIII Playoffs
Posted: Mar 02, 2026

Pioneers 75... Dawson 71 (2 OT)

The MCC Pioneers pulled out a thrilling 75-71 win in double overtime on Sunday afternoon over the Dawson CC Buccaneers to advance to the Region XIII Semifinals. 

Dawson took a 51-43 lead to the 4th quarter but the Pioneers held the Bucs to just 2-9 field goals in the 4th quarter and 1-4 FT to outscore Dawson 14-6 to send the game to the extra frame.  MCC used a 5-8 advantage at the free throw line and held the Bucs to just one field goal in the 2nd overtime session to earn a trip to Williston, ND for the Region XIII Semifinals on Wednesday night. 

The teams combined to shoot 46-153 (30%) from the field as 110 rebounds were snarred on the night. Three Pioneers finished with double digit rebounds in the game. Three point shooting was off much of the night as well as there were a combined 14-70 (20%) success rate on 3's. 

Matilda Sanz (Madrid, Spain) led MCC in scoring with 27 points (7-24 FG, 4-14 3's, 9-14 FT) and pulled down 8 rebounds. Laynee Elness (Winifred, MT) added 17 points (3-21 FG, 1-10 3's, 10-12 FT) to go along with 5 assists. Ebele Mbagwu (Bakersfield, CA) popped in 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-9 FT) and grabbed 20 rebounds (13 offensive). Jai Baumann (Big Sandy, MT) ended the game with 11 points (3-19 FG, 1-9 3's, 4-6 FT) to go along with her 18 rebounds. Hailey Dennison (Shepherd, MT) pulled down 12 rebounds. 

Inside the Box Score

  • The Pioneers shot 21-83 (25%) from the field and 6-33 (18%) from the 3-point line. MCC hit 27-43 from the free throw line. 
  • The Bucs shot 25-70 (35%) from the field and 8-37 (22%) from the 3-point line. Dawson only made 13-26 at the foul line. 
  • There were 8 ties and 4 lead changes in the game. 
  • Dawson led by 11 point early in the 4th quarter. 
  • 4 Buccaneer players fouled out of the game as they amassed 31 personal fouls. MCC was whistled for 18 fouls. 
  • The Pioneers had 65 rebounds (28 offensive) and the Bucs had 45 rebounds (9 offensive).

MCC will travel to Williston, ND on Wednesday night with tipoff of the Region XIII semifinal set for 6:00 PM. Williston State comes in to the game with a 29-1 record. The Pioneers are 15-16.