Dillon, Mont. – No. 13 ranked Montana Western Bulldogs (19-5, 9-3) fell to MSU-Northern Skylights (18-6, 7-5) 76-73 in controversial fashion Saturday night in the Straugh Gymnasium.

You win some, you lose some, you make some shots, you miss some shots, you get some calls, you don't get calls. That's what happened Saturday night as the Bulldogs fell victim to an unfortunate call late in the game.

The Bulldogs fouled a Lights player near the three-point line, the player then took three steps and laid in an uncontested layup with 3.5 seconds left. Instead of shooting two free throws, the basket counted and the lights were awarded an and-1. The Lights escaped with a 76-73 upset win.

That call, however, was not the reason the Bulldogs lost the game. There are several reasons why they lost the game. They couldnt keep up with the hot shooting lights, and they couldn't get a stop when they needed it. and they didn't win the loose ball battles.

The Lights would end up shooting 50 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, hitting 15 of 30 three-point shots. 

The Bulldogs didn't have a bad night either, shooting 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from downtown. But only connected on eight shots from downtown.

Shyke Smalls (Great Falls, Mont.) scored a game high 23 points, and five rebounds and three steals. Dom Robinson (Tacoma, Wash.) had 19 points. Kooper Kidgell (Billings, Mont.) had 17 points, six assists and five rebounds, and Marcus Payne (Livingston, Mont.) added 10 point and six rebounds. Riley King (Missoula, Mont.) had a game and career high 11 rebounds. 

The Bulldogs travel to Helena on Tuesday Feb. 7 to take on the Fighting Saints. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M.