THUNDERBIRDS CLAIM THIRD PLACE AT MON DAK CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

The United Tribes Men's basketball team opened the season with three games at the Mon Dak Conference Tournament this past weekend. The Thunderbirds went 2-1 on the weekend to earn third place. They started the tournament with a 105-79 victory over they Mystics of Bismarck State and fell to the defending Mon Dak Conference Champions North Dakota State College of Science 84-76 in the semifinal which set up the third place clash with Dawsonn Community College on Sunday afternoon. Tribes raced out to an early 29-16 lead in the first half led by Rob McClain Jr's 21 first half points, but Dawson clawed their way back into the game and trailed by only one point heading into the second half. Dawson rode that momentum into the second half and led by as many as 12 points before the Thunderbirds grinded their way back into the game. Joe Sazue III caught fire and connected on 5 three pointers including a deep three with 13 seconds remaining that tied the game at 76 all and sent it to overtime. In the overtime period Montel Carlow iced the game at the line with 4 straight free throws and the Thunderbirds went home with the 87-83 victory. Rob McClain Jr. led United Tribes with a career high 33 points. He added 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 blocks, and 3 assists. Carlow finished with 11 points and Chayton York finished with a game high 9 assists.

With the win the Thunderbirds improve to 2-1 on the season and return home for the Alumni Game on November 6th befoe hitting the road to play Region XIII foes Bay College and Dakota Technical College in Inver Grove Heights, MN on November 9th and 10th.