(Editor's note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE - The Dawson Community College basketball men shot down a 17-game home court winning streak for North Dakota State College of Science on Thursday night with a 74-58 victory. The Wildcats' (14-3) (2-1) last loss at home was on February 5, 2018, also against Dawson (14-6) (3-0).
NDSCS was 14-2 on the season with one of those two losses coming at the hands of the Buccaneers in the Conference Preseason Tournament on November 2, losing in the semifinals 85-81. Both teams entered the matchup on Thursday night undefeated in conference.
Dawson had a commanding 21-9 lead before NDSCS climbed back into the game with a 14-3 run. The Wildcats took the lead in the last minute of the half 29-28. In a very even first half, NDSCS shot it a little better from the field, 44% to 38%, but struggled from deep, 14% compared to Dawson's 40%. Dawson also forced 10 turnovers.
The hosts began the second half with a 3-pointer to go up 4, but over the next 12 minutes the teams went back and forth with 2 ties and 5 lead changes. Facing a one point deficit with 8 minute left, Dawson turned up the pressure defensively, forcing steals and pushing the ball in transition, going on a 14-3 run to put them up by double digits. The Wildcats were never able to get it within single digits after that and DCC cruised to the finish line.
Dawson's defense was superb once again, holding NDSCS to 29 points in each half. Their 58 points was 32 points below their season average. Dawson held them to 41% shooting which was 8% below their season average and forced 23 turnovers, scoring 32 points off of those turnovers. The Bucs shot 55% in the second half and scored 46 points.
Dawson was led by Beau Santsitevan's (6'7 sophomore forward) 18 points and Cam'ron Dunfee (6'3 sophomore guard) contributed 17 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Duoth Gach (6'4 sophomore guard) led NDSCS with 15 points, but only shot 1-7 from 3 point range.
DCC's women are now 1-2 in conference play after losing in Wahpeton 53-69.
Dawson won the second quarter 13-9, and tied the game quickly in the second half, and then took the lead by 4 five minutes into the third quarter. The lead would not last long though, as NDSCS would come back and take control. The Lady Wildcats swarmed the Lady Bucs with a ¾ court 1-3-1 press. The zone press wasn't as effective in the first half as it was in the second. Dawson had 24 turnovers and North Dakota Science had 17 steals in the game. The Wildcats also outrebounded Dawson 41-33 and outscored Dawson off the bench 18-11.
Once again, the Lady Bucs had trouble passing the ball as they were unofficially marked for 17 bad passes. Scoring was also inconsistent with DCC as they only had two players in double figures. Ashley Orozco led the game with 21 points, along with 5 steals, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. She shot 50% from the 3-point range, going 5-10. Ashya Klopfenstein scored 11 points and had 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
Head Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. didn't have much to say about the loss, "We just simply need to have better passing, consistent scoring from 3-4 players and a stronger sense of urgency during games. We're underachieving at the moment, but we are hopeful these temporary set-backs will make us stronger in the long run."
DCC's men and women host Dakota College at Bottineau on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Sunday will also feature Dawson's second annual Hall of Fame event in between the women's and men's games.
