United Tribes makes thrilling run to Mon Dak Conference Championship

United Tribes came from behind and held on to win in consecutive overtime games to advance to the championship game at the Buster Gillis Mon Dak Conference Tip Off Classic.  

On Friday night the Thunderbirds trailed Bismarck State College 73-58 with 7:17 remaining to play.  After calling timeout they finished the game on a 22-7  run eventually tieing the game on a Famous Lefthand three pointer with 48 seconds to play.  BSC banked in a jumper on the next possession and Lefthand hit two clutch free throws to tie it at 80 and send it to overtime.  Tribes outscored the Mystics 14-8 in the overtime to complete the come from behind win 94-88. 

Lefthand led all scorers with 23 points.  Sylvester Union finished with 16 points and 7 rebounds. DK Middleton also reached double figures with 13 points and a game high 8 rebounds.  Tristin Davis provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

United Tribes faced league favorites North Dakota State College of Science in the semifinal round.  Both teams started slow and went to half time tied 30-30.  After the half the Thunderbirds would eventually build a 54-44 lead following two free throws by Tyree Whitcomb.  Science eventually chipped away at the lead and had the last possesion with 14 seconds remaining trrailing 72-71.  Agwa Nywesh's driving attempt was blocked and Micah Swallow's put back attempt rimmed out.  After a scramble for the loose ball rebound a foul was called on Lefthand with .4 seconds remaing sending Conal Parnell to the line for two free throws.  He missed the first and converted the second sending the game to overtime.  

In the overtime United Tribes outscored the Wildcats 10-7 and held on to win 82-78 advancing to the championship game.

Jesse White led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 18 points.  He also dished out 4 assists.  Middleton finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 asssits.  Whitcomb was huge off the bench with 13 points and 9 rebounds.  Lefthand reaached double figures again with 10.

In the championship game United Tribes matched up with Dawson Community College.  The game started slow and the cold shooting Thunderbirds dug themsevled into a double digit hole and trailed the Bucs 50-36 at the half.  In the second half Tribes went on a late run, but eventually ran out of gas falling 91-84.  The Thunderbirds converted only 3-21 shots from the three point line and were outscored by Dawson 25-11 at the foul line.   

DK Middleton led all scorers with 24 points and 9 rebounds.  Lefthand finished with 19 points and 6 rebounds.  Union reached double figures with 10.  

United Tribes (3-1) heads to Williston State College on Friday for a 7:30pm Mon Dak Conference matchup with Williston State College before returning home to face conference foe Miles Community College on Sunday at 2pm.