Feb 21, 2024
The Dawson Community College Buccaneers lost a tough game on the road to the Lake Region State College Royals on Wednesday night 73-68. The Bucs led most of the way and seemed in control, but poor shooting and a season high 25 turnovers doomed them. The loss drops their season record to 23-6 with one game left at Miles Community College on Sunday afternoon.
"It was a disappointing game," explained Dawson Coach Joe Peterson. "I thought we came out with the right energy and mindset. We forced turnovers and controlled the glass, but the tide turned in the second half and we couldn't quite get it turned back around. Lake Region played hard and made some tough shots."
In the first half Dawson jumped out to an early double digit lead and stayed in control throughout. They forced 16 turnovers and scored 20 points off those turnovers. Unfortunately, they also turned it over 13 times and Lake Region converted those into 10 points of their own. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but Dawson made four three-pointers compared to only one for Lake Region. The Bucs used a 13-2 run to gain their largest lead of the game at 40-26. The halftime score was 42-31 in favor of Dawson.
The visitor's poor shooting got even worse in the second half, cooling off to a measly 24% from the field (9-37) and 18% from 3-point range (3-17). The Royals eventually took the lead with their own 13-2 run.
There were four ties and three lead changes over the final ten minutes. Ty Buckmon evened the game for the last time on a 3-pointer with a little over a minute to play, but Lake Region responded right back with a 3 point play off an offensive rebound. On the next possession even though Dawson had four shots at the basket, none of them could find the bottom of the net. The Bucs had one more chance in the final twenty seconds, still only down by three points, but their two attempts didn't even make it to the rim. The Royals stormed the court and celebrated the upset win.
Dawson ended the game shooting 31% from the field and 22% from the 3-point line, though somehow they had a chance to win at the end thanks to their rebounding effort and forcing Lake Region into 28 turnovers.
Noah Bonick had a game high 15 points along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for Lake Region. Ginuwine Tropnas had 13 points and 12 rebounds while Blessed Barhayiga added 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Dawson was led by Roniel Oguekwe's 12 points and 12 rebounds. Seth Amunrud scored 11 points and Justin Asi had 10 points and 7 steals.