League Leading Dawson Uses Late Run to Down Thunderbirds
The United Tribes Men's Basketball team went toe to toe with league leading and undefeated conference foe Dawson Community College Thursday night at the Thunderdome. The games momentum swung back in forth with multiple lead changes before Dawson pulled away at the end to win their 8th straight game since the start of the New Year behind a monster game from 6'3 sophomore guard Camron Dunfee who scored 37 points on the night. Dunfee knocked down 9 three pointers leading Dawson to the 110-97 victory.
The Thunderbirds hit three 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the game and never really slowed down offensively all night. Dawson kept pace early and built an 18-11 lead. That was the largest lead either team had in a first half that had 8 ties and 8 lead changes. Tribes led 45-44 at the break. The Thunderbirds shot it well in the first half, but shot it even better in the second half. Dunfee's scoring punch kept Dawson around and then helped them go on a run late in the the second half to seal the victory.
UTTC had a hot shooting night connecting on 52% from the field, 57% from the 3 point line and 86% from the free throw line. Dawson busted out in the 2nd half for 65 points by shooting a blistering 68% from the field and 64% from the 3 point line.
Tate Bear led UTTC with 28 points. He connected on 7-9 from three and had a team high 6 rebounds. Cecelio Montgomery knocked down 5 threes and finished with 17 points and a game high 6 assists. Nick Jiles finished with 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Lane Johnson and Herb Augustin also reached double figures with 12 points each.
United Tribes moves to 13-8 on the year and sits third in the conference standings. They travel Miles City on Monday for another conference games against the Pioneers at 8:30 CST.