United Tribes Falls to 15th Ranked Team in the Nation in Region Championship in Overtime

United Tribes knew they had their hands full going into Sunday afternoon's Region XIII Championship game against the 15th ranked team in the nation on their home court.  Back in November the two teams had met on the same court and Dakota County Tech outlasted the Thunderbirds by two points in overtime.  Dakota County Tech jumped out to a big lead in this one opening the game 14-0 and their biggest lead of the first half was 36-19.  The Thunderbirds would close the half on a 13-3 run to cut the deficit to 39-32 at halftime. 

United Tribes opened the second half with a bucket by Rob McClain Jr. to make it a five point game, but that was the closest the Thunderbirds would get until they mounted a furious comeback with 5 minutes to go.  Trailing by thirteen with five minutes remaining the Thunderbirds turned up the pressure and eventually tied the game with 21 seconds left in regulation on a Joe Sazue III three pointer from the corner.  Tribes defense forced an off balance shot that sailed out of bounds on Dakota County's last possesion.

In overtime Dakota County would strike first on a Jeremiah Coddon three point play at the basket.  Dakota County would never relenquish the lead in overtime and made free throws down the stretch to seal the win 90-85.  

McClain Jr. led the way with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists.  Montel Carlow added 20.  Chayton York had 11 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals.  Also reaching double figures for the Thunderbirds were Robert Beaulieu III with 12 points and 9 rebounds and Sazue III who finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds.  

United Tribes finishes the season with a 17-14 record, their third consectutive winning season.