Cowboys Fight Off MonDak For Overtime Conference Victory

After trailing by 10 points in the third period, the Culbertson Cowboys provided much excitement to beat MonDak, 67-63, in overtime on Friday, Jan. 9.

MonDak gained a 40-30 lead on a three-pointer by Draygen Buechler, but the Cowboys rallied with the last four points of the period. After a drive by Brooks Solem, Culbertson’s Plenny Williams scored off a fast-break pass from Solem while two MonDak players were on the ground due to a collision.

Solem then opened the fourth quarter in great fashion with a three-point play and a steal and layup to pull the Cowboys to 40-39.

The Thunder, however, accounted for eight of the game’s next 10 points including a three-point play by Dilan Wade and a three-point shot by Max Lundby.

MonDak still held a seven- point lead until a basket off a rebound by Williams, a free throw by Kaden Featherston and a steal and layup by Solem got Culbertson within two points.

Solem hit a pair of free tosses with 1:13 left to cut the gap to one point. After Mon-Dak missed from three-point range, the Cowboys took the advantage on two free throws by Featherston and another by Solem for a 55-53 lead with 20 seconds remaining in regulation.

After the Thunder pulled even on two free throws by Wade with 19 seconds left, neither team was able to score again in the period.

The scoring of Wade and Draygen Buechler led the Thunder to a 61-59 advantage in overtime, but Solem then took charge of the contest. The junior hit a baseline shot and two free tosses for a 63-61 lead. After a steal by Solem, he added two more free tosses for a 65-61 advantage with 37 seconds left.

Solem then accounted for another steal and two more free throws with only 14 seconds left.

Solem finished the game with 34 points and hit 16 of 17 free-throw tries. Williams added 16 points.

Also scoring were Ian Snyder with eight, Featherston with five and Cal Steppler with four.

Top scorers for MonDak were Wade with 31 and Buechler with 13.