Helena, Mont. – The No.13 Montana Western Bulldogs (20-5, 10-3) moved within one game of the No.8 Carroll College Fighting Saints (21-4, 11-2) for first place with five games left to play, by beating the Saints 77-71 Tuesday night at the PE Center. 

The Saints were able to jump out to an early lead and hold a seven point advantage heading into the intermission. 

Then the Bulldogs came out firing, shooting 65 percent from the field in the second half and 55 percent for the game, including 67 percent from downtown. The Offensive outburst allowed the Bulldogs to take the lead with five minutes remaining. The Bulldogs were able to answer every challenge the Saints would throw at them in the waning moments of the game and allowed the Bulldogs to come away with their second victory over Carroll this season.

Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (Missoula, Mont.) scored 17 points off the bench, going 5-5 from the field including 3-3 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe. 

Shyke Smalls (Great Falls, Mont.) and Kooper Kidgell (Billings, Mont.) each scored 16 points and Riley King (Missoula, Mont.) and Dom Robinson (Tacoma, Wash.) scored 11 points apiece. Robinson scored seven of his points in the final 1:41 of the game, including a clutch three from way downtown, helping the Bulldogs seal the victory.

The Bulldogs travel to Billings, Mont. on Feb. 11 to take on the Battlin' Bears of Rocky Mountain College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M.