Junior
Marcus Payne (Livingston, Mont.) dominated the second overtime. Scoring 13 of his 17 points in the period and grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out an assist to lead the Bulldogs to a huge road win.
Poor shooting and turnovers plagued the Bulldogs in the first half, but they managed to only trail by seven at the half 37-30.
Great Falls native
Shyke Smalls started the second half on fire scoring 12 quick points to get the Bulldogs back in the game.
The Bulldogs held an 11 point lead with eight minutes left in the second half, but the Argos started to rally taking a lead with a minute remaining.
Kooper Kidgell (Billings, Mont.) hit a diving layup to tie the game up.
The Bulldogs had a chance to win the game in regulation but
Dom Robinson (Tacoma, Wash.) missed two free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.
The two teams traded baskets in the first overtime before Great Falls hit a three pointer with 13 seconds left. With the Argo Crowd in a frenzy, and Great Falls seemingly seconds away from pulling off and upset victory. Robinson redeemed himself by grabbing an offensive rebound and sinking a shot from downtown at the buzzer to send the game into the second overtime.
Then Payne took over. Controlling the low post and scoring at will, shredding the Argos for 13 points.
The Bulldogs had six players score in double figures. Lead by Smalls who finished with 21 points.
Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (Missoula, Mont.) scored a career high 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Kidgell scored 17 and had seven rebounds, and
Marcus Payne finished with a double-double 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Robinson added 14 points and six assists, and
Chase Haack (Spokane, Wash.) scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Bulldogs travel to Havre, Mont. to play the 15
th ranked Lights of MSU-Northern on Jan. 14. Tip-off is set for 8:00 P.M.