Pictured: Kur Maler
Jan 31, 2024
The Dawson Buccaneers won their third straight game on Wednesday night beating the visiting Lake Region State College Royals 82-74. The win boosts Dawson to 18-4 on the season and 11-2 in conference play.
"I'm glad we gutted out a win tonight," explained Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "We had to battle some injuries and foul trouble, but we found a way to get the stops when we needed to and be able to close out the game. Forcing turnovers and winning the boards got us the win tonight. I hope we will learn to play harder for the entire game and take better care of the ball."
There wasn't much separation between the two teams early in the game until Dawson went on a 12-4 run with four free throws, a 3-pointer from Levi O'Brien and a jumper by Sam Massaquoi that gave Dawson a 34-26 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Royals came right back with a 13-7 run of their own to pull within one point at the break, 40-39. There were three ties and four lead changes in the opening half. Lake Region shot 57% in the first half and 43% from 3-point range, but turned it over 11 times and gave up 10 offensive rebounds to the Bucs. Ginuwine Tropnas scored 13 points for LRSC and Seth Amunrud led Dawson with 11 points in the half.
The point differential stayed within three points during the first six minutes after the break until Dawson separated a little and went up by seven points on a dunk from Aleksis Nika. The visitors came right back to tie it up again at 59 on a 3-point shot from Mitch Leas. Dawson finally took control with eight minutes remaining. They were clinging to a one-point lead when they went on a 13-0 run spurred by lay-ups from Jordan Jasper, two from Justin Asi and Demetric Kindle and then a 3-pointer by Amunrud that capped the run and gave Dawson a comfortable 77-63 lead. The Bucs held the Royals scoreless over that four minute stretch and forced three turnovers which led to lay-ups. Their lead remained in double digits until the final two seconds of the game. Dawson held Lake Region to 35% shooting in the second half.
Thanks to the turnover differential and the offensive rebounding advantage, Dawson took fourteen more shots from the field and ten more free throws than Lake Region. Points off turnovers went Dawson's way 27-13.
Amunrud finished with a game high 21 points to lead four Bucs in double figures. Demetric Kindle scored 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Justin Asi and Jordan Jasper each had 11 points. Tropnas led Lake Region with 17 points and Noah Bonick scored 15.
Dawson is back in action at home Thursday night with a game against Bismarck State College. It will be Dawson's annual Play4Kay Pink Game as well as Dino Night with the Bucs.