United Tribes Upends League Leading Dawson 80-79
Jacolby Pearson erupts for 22 first half points in win
Dawson Community College raced out to a 22-8 lead against United Tribes in the opening minutes of Monday night's Mon Dak Conference game at the Thunder Dome. With the Thunderbirds struggling to score, they needed an answer to the Bucs relentless pressure defense. That answer came in the form of Jacolby Pearson. The 6'4 freshman guard started the comeback with a layup off a back cut and back-to-back three pointers cutting the deficit to 22-16 forcing a Dawson timeout with 11:02 in the half. After Pearson's 5th three pointer and free throws after being fouled on another the Thunderbirds led 37-35 with 2:38 left in the half. The teams traded baskets to end the half and went to locker room tied at 39.
The game stayed close the rest of the half with the biggest lead being 8 when the Thunderbirds went on a mini run and took the lead 59-51 after a Mark Fassett three pointer from the corner with 12:03 to go. Dawson countered with a 15-4 run capped by a three by Levi O'Brien to retake the lead 66-63 with 7:48 to play.
The scoring slowed and Dawson made their last field goal of the game with 4:22 to go taking a 76-71 lead on a Demetric Kindle layup. With the game stuck at 78-73 for over two minutes a Trae Hugs three pointer off an assist by Riley Spoonhunter made it 78-76 in favor of Dawson with 1:25 left in regulation. After a United Tribes stop Cayden Redfield secured the rebound and brought the ball up the court, isolated on the top he went into his move and made the biggest shot of the game a three pointer giving the Thunderbirds a 79-78 lead with 48 seconds remaining. Dawson's Ty Buckmon raced the ball up the court and was fouled on his attempt. He missed the first free throw and made the second making it 79-79 with 39 seconds to go.
Both teams failed to capitilize on their next possesions and the Thunderbirds pushed the ball up the court. Hugs was fouled on the pass and went to the line for a bonus. He missed the first, but Tribes Houston Davis grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the layup attempt. Davis missed the first and made the second for an 80-79 lead. After a Dawson timeout, Kindle sped the ball up the court and his pass was tipped out of bounds underneath the basket with .2 of a second remaining. The ensuing in bounds was tipped away by Hudda Curry giving Tribes the 1 point win.
Pearson finished the game with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Redfield had 22, and Davis reached double figures with 10 poitns, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
United Tribes continues Mon Dak Conference play January 21st at Lake Region State College at 3pm.