DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western Bulldog Men's Basketball team upset the No. 12 ranked Montana Tech Orediggers by a score of 67-64. The Bulldogs move to 6-6 on the season after tonight's win.
"Unbelievably proud of this team. We are continually getting better and that is what I am most excited about. To fight that hard for a full 40 minutes, just stay together, and withstand their runs and keep doing what we are capable of. I am impressed and really happy for these guys." Head Coach
Mike Larsen said after the win.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs opened the game by going on a 6-2 run in the first four minutes of the game. The Orediggers answered with a made field goal; however, the Bulldogs were able to go up 18-10 down the stretch behind a layup from
Jacob Ankeny. With 8:36 left in the half, the Bulldogs went up 21-12 after they snagged three straight boards to give
Tanner Haverfield the opportunity to drain a three-point shot from the top of the arc. Montana Tech answered with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, bringing the score to 16-21. Another notable rebounding effort allowed Bulldog
Jacksen Burckley to make a layup in the paint to bring the score to 23-16 with just over seven minutes to play. The Bulldogs closed out the first half up 33-25 over the Orediggers. The Bulldogs tallied 23 rebounds in the first half alone, with nine being offensive boards.
The second half opened with the Orediggers going on a 9-0 run to give Montana Tech the lead with 17:33 on the clock. Stephenson answered right back with a made three-pointer for another lead change. Despite a made three-point shot from Oredigger Asa Williams, the Bulldogs were able to maintain the lead behind a pair of layups from
Ky Kouba. With 14:47 left in the half,
Jaden Graham snagged an offensive board and put it right back for two to give the Bulldogs a five-point lead. With 9:33 left in the game,
Brenton Woods picked up a steal as he ran down an Oredigger pass and Kouba hit a three-pointer to bring the score to 49-43. Three straight possessions ending in made three-point shots pushed the Bulldogs on to take an eight-point lead. Despite the run, Montana Tech answered right back going on a 7-0 run. With 2:31 left to play, the Orediggers tied it up at 60 and continued on to gain a two-point lead.
Jamal Stephenson tied it back up on a layup that drew a foul. He hit the following free throw as the Bulldogs went into the final minute of the game up one point. The Bulldogs would hang on to the lead for the remainder of the game and finish out on top by a score of 67-64.
Notables
- With the win tonight, the Bulldogs pick up their first Top 25 win since the 2019-20 season when they defeated No. 9 ranked Carroll College by six points.
- Despite being outshot 42.9 to 38.3 percent from the field, the Bulldogs had 14 offensive rebounds that pushed the offense to put up four more shots than the Orediggers.
- The Bulldogs also were 11 for 14 from the free throw line as the Orediggers struggled behind a 58.8 percent from the line.
- Jamal Stephenson led the Bulldogs with 19 points, three rebounds, and an assist.
- Ky Kouba followed with 14 points and nine rebounds. He also added two assists.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will be heading to Pocatello, Idaho to take on Idaho State University in an exhibition game on Dec. 6 at 7PM MST.
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