Bucs Win Again on the Road at Western Nebraska
The Dawson Buccaneer pulled out another close one on the road Monday night, beating the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars 83-80. While Western Nebraska relied on a high-volume perimeter attack, Dawson Community College utilized its physical presence to dominate the glass and win the battle at the free-throw line.
"I have some bad memories at the Cougar Palace as a player and as a coach, so it felt really good to create some good memories in there finally," explained Bucs Coach Joe Peterson. "I've never won there and I can't recall any other times that Dawson has won at that place. Tonight we took control in the first half and weathered the storm in the second half and made just enough plays to get another road win. This is the fourth straight true road game we've won and every one of them has come down to the last possession. That takes toughness and togetherness to do."
Led by Mikey Ngoyi's 12 points and Kai Guess's 13 points, Dawson raced out to a 49-41 advantage in the opening twenty minutes. They made 11-13 from the free throw line while shooting 51.6% from the field and 40% from the three-point line. The Bucs biggest lead in the first half was 42-30, but the Cougars finished the half with an 11-7 advantage to cut the lead to single digits going into the break.
In the second half Dawson scored the first five points to stretch the lead back to single digits before Xavier Kirkpatrick came off the Western Nebraska bench and connected on three shots from long range, scoring 16 points in the final twenty minutes. After making 7 three's in the first half, the hosts made 8 more in the second half, shooting 8-19. Dawson only made 3-15 on 3's in the second half. The Bucs used their size and depth to outrebound the Cougars by 10 in the half. They hauled in 15 offensive rebounds, scoring 16 points off of those rebounds.
Dawson held a two point lead, 79-77, with 1:43 left when Brandon Hymes made a short jumpshot to give them a four point cushion. After the Cougars missed two free throws on their next possession, they got the offensive rebound and missed a 3-pointer. Dawson collected the rebound, but they turned it over and gave the ball right back to WNCC. This time they scored a basket and got fouled. The three point play made it 81-80. Once again Dawson turned it over. Fortunately, Brandon Hymes stole it right back for the Bucs. On their final possession, the Bucs finally made it count. Kai Guess scored on a driving layup to put them up 83-80. They followed that up with a key stop. Zakai Owens grabbed the rebound and Dawson ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Both teams shot 44% from the field for the game, but Western Nebraska shot a higher percentage from the three-point line (38.5%). The Buccaneers had the advantage in free throws made (14-7) and on the offensive glass where they grabbed 20 and scored 18 second chance points.
Kirkpatrick led WNCC with 22 points. Guess led three Buccaneers in double figures with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Brandon Hymes had 15 points and 3 steals. Mikey Ngoyi had 12 points.
Dawson moves to 13-6 on the season and will return home for a pair of conference games coming up. They host North Dakota State College of Science on Sunday at 4:00 pm. That will be their Play 4Kay Pink Night sponsored by Mid Rivers Communication. NDSCS is 14-2 on the season and have won 14 of their past 15 games. On Monday at 12:00 pm Dawson will host Lake Region State College in their Dribble for a Dream Game honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Many of the local schools will be in attendance on Monday.
