DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (10-9) snapped a four-game losing streak with a hard-fought 69-66 victory over the Montana State University-Northern Lights (6-14) this afternoon.
"I'm proud of our guys for their response and finding a way to get a win," Head Coach Pat Jensen said. "We did a great job rebounding and got some really important stops down the stretch."
Kyle Gruhler led the Bulldogs with 13 points and eight rebounds, playing a key role in securing the victory.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs started strong, shooting effectively from beyond the arc. Gruhler and
Jalyn Stepney each hit two three-pointers early, giving Western an early advantage.
Alan Kane contributed four points and two assists in the first half, helping the Bulldogs maintain a slim three-point lead midway through.
The Lights responded with a 6-0 run to take the lead, but timely rebounds and defensive plays by
Kolter Merritt kept the game close. A corner three-pointer by
Kevin Bethel, followed by an and-one play from
Jacob Ankeny, propelled the Bulldogs to a 43-37 lead heading into halftime.
The Bulldogs came out firing in the second half.
Kevin Bethel and
Abi Adedo scored key baskets, and a three-pointer by Jackson Burckley extended the lead to 51-41. The Lights mounted a comeback, tying the game at 54-54 with just over eight minutes remaining.
Western responded by ramping up their defensive intensity and dominating the boards. A decisive 11-2 run over the next four minutes secured a lead the Bulldogs would not relinquish, sealing the victory.
Notables
- Gruhler led the game with eight rebounds and scored 13 points.
- Kane finished with 10 points and a game-high six assists.
- Ankeny added 12 points and six rebounds.
- The Bulldogs grabbed 21 offensive rebounds, scoring 20 second-chance points.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Great Falls to face University of Providence this Thursday, January 30, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
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