Thunderbirds Capture 3rd Place at Buster Gillis Mon Dak Tip Off

The United Tribes Thunderbirds went 2-1 on the opening weekend of the season to finish in third place at the Buster Gillis Mon Dak Tip Off Tournament in Newtown, ND.  

In the opening round the Thunderbirds squared off with the Williston State College Tetons and jumped out to 37-23 lead at the half and held on to win 81-68.  The balanced scoring attack was led by Houston Davis who shot 6-7 from the field, 3-3 from three, and 5-5 from the free throw line on his way to 20 points in his college debut.  Cayden Redfield and Jacolby Pearson each chipped in 14 and Trae Hugs Fnished with 13.  Hudda Curry finished with 9 points and a game high 9 rebounds.  

In the semifinal the Thunderbirds met up with the defending league champions North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats.  UTTC jumped out to 15-3 lead, but the Wildcats chipped away at the lead and Kaleb Larson nailed three pointer right before half to give the Wildcats a 40-37 lead at the half.  The second half was a slugfest with the lead changing hands multiple times before Cayden Redfield's three at the buzzer rimmed out and the Wildcats escaped with an 80-77 win.  Redfield finished with 27 points and 8 rebounds. Pearson finished with 11 and Davis had 12 points and 8 rebounds.  

In the third place game the Thunderbirds used some stingy defense and a balanced scoring attack in defeating Dakota College at Bottineau 79-66 to capture third.  UTTC was led in scoring again by Davis with 15.  Curry finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds.  Also reaching double figures were Riley Spoonhunter with 12 and Trae Hugs with 10.  

United Tribes returns to action this Friday November 10th in Miles City against a pair of Region 9 foes.  First up is Gillette College Friday at 4pm CST, followed by Northwest College on Saturday at 1pm CST.