DILLON, Mont. — The Montana Western men's basketball team (1-0) ushered in the Pat Jensen coaching era with a 70-67 win over the RV Eastern Oregon Mounties (0-1).
The win came down the wire, with the Bulldogs pulling out the successful outcome following three near perfect trips to the free throw line to cap out the victory.
"I am just really proud and really excited for our guys. They worked really hard all preseason and to come out tonight and play on our home court is great to see as they took care of business. To get that first win is very exciting," Head Coach Pat Jensen said.
How It Happened
Michael Haverfield got the Bulldogs off on the right foot early in the game after knocking down back-to-back threes. Scoring remained on the side of the Bulldogs as they pushed their lead to 15-8 with 11:58 remaining in the half following a jumper from
Jalyn Stepney.
EOU's Adam Orr hit a three to cut the Bulldog lead to one with eight minutes on the clock.
With just under seven minutes on the clock,
Abi Adedo put together key plays to give the Bulldogs a 23-19 lead. Despite the four-point margin, the Mounties grabbed their first lead since the first minute of the game as EOU's Preston Chandler hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc. EOU would take a 34-32 lead into the half.
The Mounties were the first to find the hoop to start the half, but the Bulldogs answered by going on a 10-0 scoring run to bring the Bulldog lead to 42-36 with 15:58 on the clock.
The Mounties did not roll over as Johnny Hillman knocked down a three with 10:48 on the clock to bring the Bulldog lead back to 49-47. The Bulldogs re-adjusted and
Jacksen Burckley hit a three of his own to push the Bulldogs up five with under ten minutes to play.
EOU caught sparks down the stretch, closing in within two points of the Bulldogs. With the game of cat and mouse throughout much of the later stretches, the Bulldogs continued to remain on top as they capitalized on three trips to the free throw line going a perfect 6-6 from Adedo, Stepney, and
Kayden Toldson.
Adedo continued to work in the key, picking up a pair of trips to the free throw line. With four makes, the Bulldogs claimed a 65-58 lead with under two minutes to play.
The Mounties answered quickly as Malachi Afework hit a three from the corner of the arc, cutting the Bulldog lead to four. Afework followed his three up with a contested layup that he converted into an and one with a minute left.
UMW held tough, finishing five of six free throws down the stretch and taking the win 70-67.
Notables
- Tonight's win marks the first win in Pat Jensen's head coaching career. Tonight's win also marks the second win in a row over the Mounties in the past two seasons.
- As a team, the Bulldogs shot 40.0 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the free throw line.
- Stepney led the Bulldogs on the night, racking up 17 points and four rebounds.
- Adedo followed with 15 points, five boards, and three steals. Haverfield also hit double digits, going 4-6 from the three-point line and totaling 10 points.
- Quincy Taylor dished out five assists.
Up Next
The Bulldogs are slated to host Dickinson State University (N.D.) tomorrow afternoon to close out the Speridian Tech. Invitational. This will be the first of two matchups between the teams this season.
Tip-off is set for 4:30pm in the Straugh Gymnasium.
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