MNU Athletics

Freshman Rustin Dowd's 5 points in the final minute of play led the Pioneers in a 70-68 victory over Cardinal Stritch University on Friday. With MNU trailing by one and less than 30 seconds remaining, Dowd hit a 15-footer from the right side to give the Pioneers the lead. After a layup by Stritch, Dowd took the inbounds pass the length of the court and hit a tough runner in the lane while getting fouled. He cooley hit the free throw, and Stritch was never able to put up a shot in the final seconds.

The Pioneers trailed most of the game, and even saw the Stritch lead balloon to 11 with 16 minutes remaining in the game. Things looked grim when MNU lost center Lukas Weigel with his 5th foul, but the Pioneers hung tough and went on a 12-1 run to take the lead. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, and Dowd's late flourish gave MNU the victory. The final margin (2) was MNU's largest lead.

Dowd finished with a game-high 23 points. Brenton Bell had 14 points, 9 assists, and 4 steals. And Weigel reached double figures with 13 points while he pulled down 6 rebounds.

The Pioneers are 3-0. The next game is Saturday at 8 PM at home vs. College of the Ozarks.