We had another one of those lesson learned type games last night. We traveled to Williston State to face the Tetons in a key Mon-Dak battle. We battled for a good portion but we were also a bit tentative in a 102-82 loss.
In the first half, WSC came out hot hitting their first eight shots, building a double digit lead early. We would get down by as much as 17, at 39-22 before our motors got going full blast and we cut the lead to five at half, 43-38. We were able to do this holding the Teton's without a field goal the last 5:20 of the half. The bench was huge, with Eric Elliott and Louis Williams each getting nine points and Kenric Twine getting six, combining for 24 of our 38.
The second half started well for us as we were able to cut the lead numerous times to two with chances to tie. The guys fought their backsides off to get back in the game. Despite our defense tightening and our offense starting to click we were not able to get the tie or lead which was a credit to the Tetons. Eventually they would make a couple mini runs of 6-2 or 8-2 to get the lead to double digits and a high of 22. We did make one last attempt at coming back with just over 5:00, cutting the lead back to 14 on six quick points.
For the game, the Tetons shot a blazing 66% from the field, including 6-13 from three. They also won the boards by a 39-35 count, and only grabbed seven rebounds. The Jacks shot 42% from the field, and 8-20 from three. We did have 22 steals, and forced 24 turnovers. Leading the way for us was Eric Elliott with a career high 19 points, with Malik Jones adding 16 and Louis Williams adding 15. A fun fact all three were teammates at Johnson High School in St. Paul, MN.
I really feel this team has a chance to be special and the guys know it, if we can get consistent we will make some noise in the Mon-Dak.
Current Standings
Dawson 2-1
Williston 2-1
DCB 2-1
NDSCS 2-1
Lake Region 1-2
BSC 0-2
UTTC 0-2
Friday, January 15, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
2-0 in Mon-Dak Play
We played host to the Thunderbirds of United Tribes Technical College on Monday evening. It was a game similar to the first conference game against Bismarck State that saw us jump out early, get a big lead in the 2nd half only to let them back in. In the end we did pick up the 106-96 win to improve to 16-4 and 2-0 in Mon-Dak play.
At the half it was 58-45. The first half was a game of runs, with the score 16-15 Jacks, we were able to go on a quick 7-0 run to expand it to 23-15 with 12:49 to go. It would grow to as much as nine, 26-17 with 11:13 to go before a 13-2 UTTC run over would give the T-Birds a 30-28 advantage with 8:48 to go. The teams would go back and forth with DCB getting the advantage late on the way to the 13 point halftime lead. For the half we shot 56% from the field and 5-9 from three. UTTC hit 37% overall and 7-15 from three.
In the second half, a Brian Egejuru three on our first possession after a stop upped the lead to the biggest of the game at 61-45. However UTTC would use a 9-0 run over 3:30 to cut the lead to 61-54 with 16:17 to go. They would continue to cut away until it was just a 3 point advantage at 71-68 with 13:04 remaining. A quick 7-0 spurt capped by a Kenric Twine three point play would up the advantage to 78-68. The lead would be between 10 and 14 the rest of the game. For the game the Jacks shot 52% overall and hit 8-19 (42%) from three. However we only hit six of ten from the line, and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
Leading the way was Egejuru with 25 points and seven assists. Twine added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Malik Jones just missed his second triple double of the year with 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, as well as four steals.
We are next in action when we travel to Williston for a key early season matchup with the Tetons. Right now they stand 1-0 in conference play while we are 2-0. The winner of the game will have the outright lead in this early Mon-Dak season.
At the half it was 58-45. The first half was a game of runs, with the score 16-15 Jacks, we were able to go on a quick 7-0 run to expand it to 23-15 with 12:49 to go. It would grow to as much as nine, 26-17 with 11:13 to go before a 13-2 UTTC run over would give the T-Birds a 30-28 advantage with 8:48 to go. The teams would go back and forth with DCB getting the advantage late on the way to the 13 point halftime lead. For the half we shot 56% from the field and 5-9 from three. UTTC hit 37% overall and 7-15 from three.
In the second half, a Brian Egejuru three on our first possession after a stop upped the lead to the biggest of the game at 61-45. However UTTC would use a 9-0 run over 3:30 to cut the lead to 61-54 with 16:17 to go. They would continue to cut away until it was just a 3 point advantage at 71-68 with 13:04 remaining. A quick 7-0 spurt capped by a Kenric Twine three point play would up the advantage to 78-68. The lead would be between 10 and 14 the rest of the game. For the game the Jacks shot 52% overall and hit 8-19 (42%) from three. However we only hit six of ten from the line, and gave up 17 offensive rebounds.
Leading the way was Egejuru with 25 points and seven assists. Twine added 17 points and eight rebounds, while Malik Jones just missed his second triple double of the year with 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, as well as four steals.
We are next in action when we travel to Williston for a key early season matchup with the Tetons. Right now they stand 1-0 in conference play while we are 2-0. The winner of the game will have the outright lead in this early Mon-Dak season.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Crazy Season is Here aka Conference Play
We took to the road to open up Mon-Dak play against a depleted but talented and well coached opponent in Bismarck State. We came away with a hard fought victory, 97-91. For the year we stand at 15-4 and 1-0 in Mon-Dak play.
In the first half we got off to a good start with a 3-0 lead and lead all but about thirty seconds of the half. It was a good shooting half as we came out on fire and sharing the ball well. We shot 48% for the half, including 7-17 (41%) from three. However we were only 1-2 from the free-throw line, this would be an issue that would keep coming up. Bismarck State was in the double bonus before the halfway point of the half and would hit 12-22 from the line. They would only shoot 33% from the field and 1-6 from three.
In the second half we came quick hitting on the first five points of the second half on a JJ Morris three and a Wesley Harrison put back to get the biggest lead of the game, 53-35 with about 18:00 to go. BSC would fight back to get within 10 before another run would up the lead to 16 again. We would see this happen one more time before a fierce run by the Mystics would see the game tied on a Scott Nagel three with just over four minutes to go. However, we would quickly go on a 7-2 run and would get the lead up to 8 again before the final tally of 6 was reached. In the second half we shot 62% and 5-9 from three. We did hit 8-13 from the line, however BSC hit 19-23.
For the game, we shot 54% from the field, 12-26 (46%) from three and hit 9-15 from the line. The Mystics countered with 38%, 32%, and an incredible 31-45 from the line. The final count on fouls was 29-15 in favor of BSC. The boards ended tied at 44, however the opponents were able to grab 21 offensive rebounds.
Leading us in scoring was JJ Morris with an efficient 33, going 10-13 from the field and 6-8 from three. Louis Williams had 14, while Neal Hodges added eight and led with 10 rebounds. We are next in action on Monday with a key battle versus Division 2 rival, United Tribes Technical College.
In the first half we got off to a good start with a 3-0 lead and lead all but about thirty seconds of the half. It was a good shooting half as we came out on fire and sharing the ball well. We shot 48% for the half, including 7-17 (41%) from three. However we were only 1-2 from the free-throw line, this would be an issue that would keep coming up. Bismarck State was in the double bonus before the halfway point of the half and would hit 12-22 from the line. They would only shoot 33% from the field and 1-6 from three.
In the second half we came quick hitting on the first five points of the second half on a JJ Morris three and a Wesley Harrison put back to get the biggest lead of the game, 53-35 with about 18:00 to go. BSC would fight back to get within 10 before another run would up the lead to 16 again. We would see this happen one more time before a fierce run by the Mystics would see the game tied on a Scott Nagel three with just over four minutes to go. However, we would quickly go on a 7-2 run and would get the lead up to 8 again before the final tally of 6 was reached. In the second half we shot 62% and 5-9 from three. We did hit 8-13 from the line, however BSC hit 19-23.
For the game, we shot 54% from the field, 12-26 (46%) from three and hit 9-15 from the line. The Mystics countered with 38%, 32%, and an incredible 31-45 from the line. The final count on fouls was 29-15 in favor of BSC. The boards ended tied at 44, however the opponents were able to grab 21 offensive rebounds.
Leading us in scoring was JJ Morris with an efficient 33, going 10-13 from the field and 6-8 from three. Louis Williams had 14, while Neal Hodges added eight and led with 10 rebounds. We are next in action on Monday with a key battle versus Division 2 rival, United Tribes Technical College.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Not the Way We Wanted to Start
The Lumberjacks went even farther north than Bottineau to play their first game of the 2016 part of their season, travelling to Winnipeg to face Red River College.
We went up short handed with only 7 players due to issues including returning late from home for Christmas and not being able to get across the border with out proper paperwork. Our opponents added three new players, who all played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 40 points combined in a 92-77 win for the Rebels.
We fought hard but just couldn't string together any huge runs, leading by nine a couple times. We led by five after one quarter, and six at the half. The game was tied in the third, but Red River exploded for 34 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Leading us in scoring was Neal Hodges with 25 points, adding 13 rebounds. Louis Williams added 14 points, Joe Baker 13, and Wesley Harrison 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss dropped us to 14-4 on the year, we are now heading into Mon-Dak Conference play as we travel to Bismarck State College to face the Mystics who stand at 6-8 overall on the year. The game is slated for a 6 PM women's start and approximately 8 PM men's start on Thursday, January 7. It will be broadcast thru the BSC Athletics website.
We went up short handed with only 7 players due to issues including returning late from home for Christmas and not being able to get across the border with out proper paperwork. Our opponents added three new players, who all played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 40 points combined in a 92-77 win for the Rebels.
We fought hard but just couldn't string together any huge runs, leading by nine a couple times. We led by five after one quarter, and six at the half. The game was tied in the third, but Red River exploded for 34 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Leading us in scoring was Neal Hodges with 25 points, adding 13 rebounds. Louis Williams added 14 points, Joe Baker 13, and Wesley Harrison 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss dropped us to 14-4 on the year, we are now heading into Mon-Dak Conference play as we travel to Bismarck State College to face the Mystics who stand at 6-8 overall on the year. The game is slated for a 6 PM women's start and approximately 8 PM men's start on Thursday, January 7. It will be broadcast thru the BSC Athletics website.
Friday, December 11, 2015
14-3 at Break
Trap games, "games that are on the schedule that have hidden dangers". Playing NHSC on Thursday falls into this category, the last game before the semester ends is always tough. Guys looking forward to go home and see their families for the first time in for some 4 months.
We came out this game a bit tight, not ready to play at the level we are capable or expected to. The biggest lead in the first half was 53-43, however the halftime lead was only seven at 61-54. Both teams shot the ball well in the first half, NHSC shot 54% and hit 12 free-throws while the Jacks shot 50%, including 8-20 from three, and only five free-throws.
In the second half it was back and forth scoring wise a good portion of the beginning of the half. Over the first 5:12 of the second half, the Storm would chip away at the halftime deficit before am Orie Brown three pointer tied the game at 75. However the tie was very short lived as the Jacks would proceed to turn up the heat and take over. They would go on a 17-5 run of their own, started by a Kenric Twine free-throw and finalized with a Louis Williams three point make. The score would be 92-78 with 10:21 remaining. The rest of the game the Jacks would slowly expand the lead until it was at a high of 24, 128-104 with 2:29 remaining. The final would be 130-108, the 7th time this year we have broke 120.
Leading the way was Brian Egejuru, playing his first game back from an ankle injury. He had 29 points, 24 in the second half. He also added five assists. JJ Morris scored 25, 20 in the first half on 9-15 shooting and 6-11 from three. Louis Williams added 19 off the bench but also was efficient elsewhere with seven assists and five rebounds. Wesley Harrison added 13 points, while Eric Elliott added 11 and seven rebounds. Malik Jones was once again solid with a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists.
As of now the Jacks lead the nation in scoring points per game at just over 106. We are now 14-3 on the year and will be off until we go to Canada on January 4th.
We came out this game a bit tight, not ready to play at the level we are capable or expected to. The biggest lead in the first half was 53-43, however the halftime lead was only seven at 61-54. Both teams shot the ball well in the first half, NHSC shot 54% and hit 12 free-throws while the Jacks shot 50%, including 8-20 from three, and only five free-throws.
In the second half it was back and forth scoring wise a good portion of the beginning of the half. Over the first 5:12 of the second half, the Storm would chip away at the halftime deficit before am Orie Brown three pointer tied the game at 75. However the tie was very short lived as the Jacks would proceed to turn up the heat and take over. They would go on a 17-5 run of their own, started by a Kenric Twine free-throw and finalized with a Louis Williams three point make. The score would be 92-78 with 10:21 remaining. The rest of the game the Jacks would slowly expand the lead until it was at a high of 24, 128-104 with 2:29 remaining. The final would be 130-108, the 7th time this year we have broke 120.
Leading the way was Brian Egejuru, playing his first game back from an ankle injury. He had 29 points, 24 in the second half. He also added five assists. JJ Morris scored 25, 20 in the first half on 9-15 shooting and 6-11 from three. Louis Williams added 19 off the bench but also was efficient elsewhere with seven assists and five rebounds. Wesley Harrison added 13 points, while Eric Elliott added 11 and seven rebounds. Malik Jones was once again solid with a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists.
As of now the Jacks lead the nation in scoring points per game at just over 106. We are now 14-3 on the year and will be off until we go to Canada on January 4th.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Jacks Gain 3 Wins but Play 2 Games
This past weekend the Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks traveled to Cass Lake, MN to take on Leech Lake Tribal College. They came away with a sweep, scoring 120 or more both games. There was also a 3rd win gained, but this will be explained a bit later.
On Friday evening, the Jacks took a while to get going, about 28 minutes or so to be specific but in the end would pull away for the 120-87 win. The Lakers kept things close and very interesting for most the game, as the first half was back and forth with the Jack's leading for all but one possession but never by more than 10. There were a few times that the Lakers pulled within four and even took the lead for one possession, leading by 1 at 32-31. At the half it was DCB up 58-49.
In the second half DCB started to pull away but it was a slow pull. The lead again would never get higher than 12 for the first 8:00 of the half. Finally, the pressure picked up and the Lumberjacks were able to force turnover after turnover. They would go on to outscore the Lakers 62-38 in the second half, cruising to the win.
Leading the way was Neal Hodges with a career high 21 points and seven rebounds. He led six Jacks in double figures. JJ Morris added 20 points, Kenric Twine earned the double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Malik Jones added 17 as well, with Eric Elliott and Alex Majarin adding 12 and 10.
"Leech Lake gave us all we could handle, but we responded in the end. It seemed to be a bit of bus lag, after the five hour drive to get to Cass Lake. Once we got going though we looked like our old energetic selves."
On Saturday it was round two, this time there was no doubt from the tip as the Jacks were up 20 by 12:00 in the first half, and led by 13 at halftime on the way to the 123-82 win. DCB came out with more energy from the tip, jumping to a 13-2 lead and never looking back. In the first half the game never got below double digits with DCB leading 60-47 at half.
In the second half it was much the same as the first game, except this time after the first score by Leech Lake the Dakota College defense took over, expanding the lead over the entire half. There was never any kind of sustained run made by the Lakers as the Jacks outscored them 63-35 in the second half.
Malik Jones led the way for the Jacks with 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Wesley Harrison added 19 points and nine rebounds, while Louis Williams added 16 from the bench.
"Our energy was high from start to finish, it was great to put 40 minutes together."
The third win came courtesy of a forfeit from an earlier game. Sheridan College was made to forfeit their 102-92 win over us earlier in the year. With that plus the two wins we now stand 13-3 on the season.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Huge Steps Taken
We traveled to Sheridan, WY this past weekend for the 41st annual Lion's Club Classic. Besides the Jacks it included host Sheridan College, Region 9 powerhouse, Northwest College and our Mon-Dak brethren, Williston State College.
Even though we came thru with a split it was huge the way we did it. The boys showed some resolve and moxy all weekend. They battled thru adversity, runs, and being in a hostile environment.
On Friday evening it was the host school up first. This is a game where we had chances to steal one. In the first half our shooting was as icy as the roads, shooting 35% and being out scored 16-4 from the line. With those two stats you would think we would be down a few. However, we led 44-40 due to our extremely aggressive defense and high energy. We forced 17 first half turnovers and allowed only 1 total shot the first 3:00.
The 2nd half was back and forth for a good portion with neither side seeing more than an 8 point margin. With about 8 minutes to go we trailed 70-68, however it is a game of runs and the last run usually wins. Over about a minute and half stretch SC went for two lay ups and two threes to up the lead to 10. The Jacks kept fighting until the end, losing 102-92 and were given some high praises by not only this guy but also many General fans.
Game two saw the Jacks come out flat, going down 16-0 quickly and by as much as 22 (29-7) in the first half. However after a bit of clearing the air and looking to our bench for a spark we found a formula that worked. We started to speed up the game, and dirty it on the way to out scoring the Trappers 37-16 the rest of the half to pull to within 1, 45-44.
The 2nd half saw NWC lead most of it by 1 to 4 points. However the Jacks found a way to tie the game and to take a lead the last minute. After Joe Baker hit one of two from the stripe it was 94-92 with 4.5 seconds left. On the inbound the Northwest player went coast to coast getting fouled on the layup. He would air ball the first and miss the second on purpose without any drama to seal the win.
We are now 10-4 on the year, and picked up our biggest win the last two years over Northwest. I am proud of how this group responded to recent strife and came together as one unit for the weekend.
Even though we came thru with a split it was huge the way we did it. The boys showed some resolve and moxy all weekend. They battled thru adversity, runs, and being in a hostile environment.
On Friday evening it was the host school up first. This is a game where we had chances to steal one. In the first half our shooting was as icy as the roads, shooting 35% and being out scored 16-4 from the line. With those two stats you would think we would be down a few. However, we led 44-40 due to our extremely aggressive defense and high energy. We forced 17 first half turnovers and allowed only 1 total shot the first 3:00.
The 2nd half was back and forth for a good portion with neither side seeing more than an 8 point margin. With about 8 minutes to go we trailed 70-68, however it is a game of runs and the last run usually wins. Over about a minute and half stretch SC went for two lay ups and two threes to up the lead to 10. The Jacks kept fighting until the end, losing 102-92 and were given some high praises by not only this guy but also many General fans.
Game two saw the Jacks come out flat, going down 16-0 quickly and by as much as 22 (29-7) in the first half. However after a bit of clearing the air and looking to our bench for a spark we found a formula that worked. We started to speed up the game, and dirty it on the way to out scoring the Trappers 37-16 the rest of the half to pull to within 1, 45-44.
The 2nd half saw NWC lead most of it by 1 to 4 points. However the Jacks found a way to tie the game and to take a lead the last minute. After Joe Baker hit one of two from the stripe it was 94-92 with 4.5 seconds left. On the inbound the Northwest player went coast to coast getting fouled on the layup. He would air ball the first and miss the second on purpose without any drama to seal the win.
We are now 10-4 on the year, and picked up our biggest win the last two years over Northwest. I am proud of how this group responded to recent strife and came together as one unit for the weekend.
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