by Almost every Mon Dak Conference game has come down to the final minute for the Thunderbirds this season. On Monday night at Lake Region it came down to that final minute and then took five more in overtime for the Thunderbirds to complete the season sweep of the Royals.
The Thunderbirds, who trailed by 12 points with 15 minutes remaining, clawed their way back and took over the lead when Benjamin Thompson completed a 3-point play with 7:29 remaining. The Thunderbirds maintained the advantage until the final second.
With the Thunderbirds up two with 7.3 seconds left, Lake Region’s Jayden Komrosky stole a long inbound pass and the ball eventually found Lamar Wood who powered his way up for the layup as the buzzer sounded sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Thunderbirds would never trail and led by as many as five after a Dayson Kohlus three pointer made it 82-77. Lake Region was able to cut the deficit to one at 85-84 with 28.1 seconds left, but Kohlus who made clutch free throw after clutch free throw calmly stepped to the line and sank two free throws that gave the Thunderbirds a three point cushion. Two 3-point attempts by the Royals were missed ending the ball game.
United Tribes was led by four-time Mon Dak Player of the Week Rob McClain Jr. (Mvskoke Creek) who finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. Chayton York had 18 points and 5 assists. Kohlus was huge off the bench with 14 points while shooting 3-3 from the field, 2-2 from three, and 6-6 from the foul line. Montel Carlow rounded out the balanced attack with 11 points.
