United Tribes Closes Out Regular Season with 102-98 Win Over Lake Region State College

The United Tribes men's basketball team capped off their regular season with an exciting 102-98 victory over Lake Region State College at home on Monday night. The win not only secured the Thunderbirds' ninth consecutive victory over the Royals but also marked an impressive finish to their regular-season campaign.

United Tribes came out of the gates fast, racing to an early 7-0 lead and forcing the Royals to call a timeout. From that point on, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair, with both teams playing at a fast pace but unable to gain significant separation. The Royals headed into the halftime break with a narrow 54-51 lead.

In the second half, Lake Region gradually stretched their advantage, eventually building their largest lead of the game at 67-58 following a Ginuwine Tropnas layup in transition with 13:17 left to play. However, the Thunderbirds refused to back down, mounting a 22-9 run sparked by a flurry of three-pointers from Mark Fassett, giving them an 80-76 lead with 8:44 remaining.

Lake Region regrouped after a timeout and regained the lead, 97-94, with just 1:24 left in the game. But the Thunderbirds responded immediately. Jacolby Pearson drained a clutch three-pointer on the ensuing possession to tie the game at 97. Following a missed free throw by the Royals, Houston Davis was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to give United Tribes a 99-97 lead with 42 seconds remaining.

The Thunderbirds' defense came through, forcing a stop with 20 seconds left. However, Ty Moccasin was called for traveling on the rebound, giving the Royals another chance. Bronson Chambers was fouled on the next possession and made the first of two free throws but missed the second. Moccasin, who had been dominant all night, grabbed his 18th rebound of the game and sank one of two free throws, extending United Tribes' lead to 100-98 with 6 seconds remaining.

Lake Region had a final opportunity to tie the game, but Poet Davis' deep look from three-point range rimmed out. Mark Fassett sealed the victory for the Thunderbirds by draining two free throws with less than a second to go, giving United Tribes a 102-98 win.

Houston Davis led the charge with a standout performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. Mark Fassett was also key in the victory, hitting 6 three-pointers and finishing with 22 points. Ty Moccasin posted a double-double with 15 points and a remarkable 18 rebounds. Drew Bordeaux contributed 16 points, and Dalen Leftbear added 13 points and 5 assists.

With the win, United Tribes now heads to the Region XIII Tournament as the number 1 seed from the West. The Thunderbirds will face Gogebic College in the semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN. The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Fans can watch the tournament games live on the Dakota County Technical College YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@blueknightsathletics890?si=D7Go-GdBJC1zKm2R.