Dante Brunnelli got a rare start last night at the Woodshed. Up until the 8 second mark he had, what you would call, a respectable day. 5 rebounds and 8 points in 26 minutes of action. But it was his last second three-pointer from downtown that will be remembered for quite some time as the biggest shot of the year so far for the Jacks.
With 8 seconds left the Jacks, after successful Tribes foul shots tied the game at 80, were to inbound the ball from under their bucket. Brunnelli passed the ball to Rodrigo Majarin who dribbled the ball down the left side under tough pressure. With the clock winding down he hit Brunnelli who had been trailing the play and was the only player open. Brunnelli stopped and put up a three pointer from about 6 feet behind the three-point line. The ball hit the backboard and dropped giving the Jacks the win. But there was still 1.3 seconds left on the clock, enough time for United Tribes to put up a hail-mary. After a time-out Tribes in-bounded the ball from under their basket and it miraculously found the hands of a Tribes player deep in the Jacks zone. Chayton York put up a desperation shot but it fell short giving the Jacks the well-earned win!
Dramatic last shot not withstanding, Dwaine Simmons was the story of the game for the Jacks. Simmons completely controlled the defensive boards not allowing Tribes many second chance shots. He finished with 15 defensive rebounds for a total of 17 to go with 23 points, a blocked shot, a steal and 3 assists. Rodrigo Majarin finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Jacks will Have the weekend off before traveling to Bismarck on Monday to take on Bismarck State College and will host Miles Community College on Wednesday at the Woodshed. Both games are scheduled for 7:30pm.