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Official Athletics Site of the Montana Western Bulldogs
107
Winner Montana Western MW 6-1
104
VCSU VCSU 4-2
Winner
Montana Western MW
6-1
107
Final
104
VCSU VCSU
4-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Montana Western MW 52 55 107
VCSU VCSU 53 51 104
Huber vs OUAZ

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Claire Gay, UMW Sports Information

UMW Men’s Basketball Wins High-Scoring Nailbiter Against Valley City State, 107-104

VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The UMW men's basketball program (6-1, 1-0 FC) outlasted Valley City State (4-2, 0-2 FC) 107-104 Friday evening.
 
Despite the Bulldogs leading by as many as 14 in the first half, the game came down to the final seconds. The Vikings managed to get the potential game-tying shot off in time, but the ball bounced off the rim and out to seal the victory for Western.

"Proud of our guys for finding a way to win that game," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "We have to be ready to go tomorrow night."
 
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 60.0 percent (36-60) from the floor, 47.4 percent (9-19) from downtown, and 81.3 percent (26-32) from the charity stripe in the game.
 
The Bulldogs tallied 29 rebounds, 16 assists, and three steals.
 
NOTABLES
Six Western players scored in double figures.
 
Highest team field-goal percentage of the season.
 
Fourth game this season with 90 or more points.
 
Four players shot 100.0 percent from the foul line.
 
LEADERBOARD
Kyle Gruhler put up a game-high 26 points with Emanuel Steward close behind at 22.
 
David Young (12), Jacob Ankeny (12), Mark Huber (12), and Joshua Whiteside (11) also reached double digits in scoring.
 
Ankeny and Billy Carlson each grabbed five rebounds, tying for the game-best.
 
Carlson, Young, and Kolter Merritt each handed out three assists and snagged one steal apiece.
 
GAME SUMMARY
The Bulldogs took the lead early, and held onto it for most of the first half. They led by as many as 14 with 12 minutes left in the period, but the hosts chipped away at it and went up by one, 53-52, at the half time break.
                                                                                                          
Western shot a blazing 71.4 percent (20-28) from the field, 45.5 percent (5-11) from three, and 63.6 percent (7-11) from the foul line in the first half.
 
The second period featured 13 lead changes as the two sides went bucket-for bucket. VCSU held the one-point advantage (104-103) with under a minute remaining.
 
Clutch points from Steward and Gruhler and some key stops by the defense helped secure the victory.
 
THE OTHER GUYS
The Vikings gave the Bulldogs a run for their money, shooting 58.6 percent (41-70) from the floor, 45.8 percent (11-24) from beyond the arc, and 50.0 percent (11-22) from the foul line. They registered 29 rebounds, 15 assists, four steals, and one block in the game. Taylor Bryant Frey led the team with 23 points. Kaleb Larson (18), Logan Deal (14), Nez Chehade (12), and JR Cison (10) were also in double-figures. Cison tied for the game-high in rebounds (five) and led all players in assists (four). Four different players earned a steal while Caden Grinde recorded the lone block of the game.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Western takes the court again tomorrow against Mayville State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT/ 7 p.m. CT.
 
 
For complete coverage of UMW Men's Basketball, be sure to follow us on social media at @umwesternbball (Instagram), @UMWesternBball (X), and @Montana Western Men's Basketball (Facebook) or visit our official website at UMWBulldogs.com.

#GOBULLDOGS!
 
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