United Tribes used suffocating defense in the first half to bust open a 49-24 lead at halftime. Dakota College Bottineau would make a run the second half, but it was not enough as the Thunderbirds cruised to a 101-86 win in the Region XIII Semifnals. Montel Carlow (Oglala Lakota) led the way pouring in 38 points including his 1,000th point in a Thunderbird uniform. The sophomore was scorching hot all game shooting 14-21 from the field, 4-5 from three, and a perfect 6-6 from the foul line. Rob McClain Jr. (Mvskoke Creek) recorded his 22nd double double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds. The do it all sophomore also had 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals all while limiting the Lumberjacks best player, Tyrie Johnson to 1-11 shooting in the first half. United Tribes had five players score in double figures. Robert Beaulieu had 11, Chayton York 10, and Joe Sazue III provided a spark off the bench with 10.
United Tribes improves to 17-13 and advances to the Region XIII Championship against Dakota County Technical College on Sunday March 3rd. The game will be played at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, MN. The Championship is scheuduled to tip at 2pm.