by In recent games United Tribes has been racing out of the gates, but on Monday night they had trouble getting going. The Mystics of Bismarck State College controlled the game early using a 22-3 run to jump out to a 45-27 lead. The Thunderbirds would answer with an 18-5 run of their own to close the gap to 50-45 at the half. In the second half the lead would bounce back and forth a few times before Steve Redfox Jr. and Joe Sazue III hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cap a game-turning 15-3 run late, helping United Tribes to a 102-89 victory over the Mystics. The burst turned a 72-70 Mystics lead into an 85-75 Thunderbird advantage and gave them the momentum to close out the game.
Mon Dak Conference leading scorer Montel Carlow (Oglala) led four Thunderbirds in double figures with 29 points. Sazue knocked down five threes on his way to 22. Double Double machine, Rob McClain Jr. (Mvskoke Creek) had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. Rob Beaulieau also had a double double finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
