Montana Western (MT) UMW 8-1, 3-0

Montana Tech (MT) MT 8-1, 2-1

Montana Western (MT) UMW

8-1, 3-0

Final

Nov. 28, 2025

Montana Tech (MT) MT

8-1, 2-1

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	OT 1	F
Montana Western (MT) UMW	36	33	13	82
Montana Tech (MT) MT	34	35	11	80

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | November 29, 2025 | Claire Gay, UMW Sports Information

#23 Western Men’s Basketball Defeats #4 Montana Tech 82-80 in OT Thriller

BUTTE, Mont. – The #23 Montana Western men's basketball program (8-1, 3-0 FC) hung on for an 82-80 overtime victory against #4 Montana Tech Friday evening. Western snapped a 19-game home win streak for the Orediggers, which had dated back to the beginning of the 2024-25 season.

It marks the Bulldogs' second win over a top-five opponent this season, coming after they upset then no. 1 College of Idaho (11/3/25).

"I'm really proud of our guys' grit and composure down the stretch," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "Great road win!"

STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 45.1 (32-71) from the field, 27.3 percent (6-22) from beyond the arc, and 52.2 percent (12-23) from the foul line in the contest.

The Bulldogs registered 38 rebounds, 13 assists, three blocks, and nine steals.

They earned 48 points in the paint, 13 points off turnovers, 19 second-chance points, two fast-break points, and 28 bench points.

NOTABLES
Emanuel Steward posted his first double-double of the season, dropping game highs in both points (22) and assists (10).

Jacob Ankeny shot 100.0 percent (6-6) from the floor.

UMW tallied its seventh game with 10 or more assists.

LEADERBOARD
Steward tied for the game high in scoring while Kolter Merritt (13), Ankeny (12), and Kyle Gruhler (11) also posted double-digit scoring efforts.

David Young pulled down a team-best seven rebounds and snatched a game-high four steals.

Ankeny, Merritt, and Joshua Whiteside each registered a block in the game.

GAME SUMMARY
Both teams were fired up to start the game. After trading buckets over the first few minutes of action, the Bulldogs pulled ahead by seven five minutes into the half.
The Orediggers fought back to tie the game multiple times over the ensuing 15 minutes, and UMW held a tight 36-34 lead going into the locker rooms.

Western shot 44.8 percent (13-29) from the field, 40.0 percent (4-10) from three, and 46.2 percent (6-13) from the charity stripe in the first period. The Bulldogs registered 17 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block.

After the break, UMW opened up a 10-point gap, 47-37, for its biggest lead of the game. The hosts proved persistent, though, and once again clawed their way back into the game.

A late three by Montana Tech knotted the game at 69, and neither side could get a game-winner to fall in the last seconds of regulation.

In the overtime period, the Bulldogs made 6-of-7 shots on the way to a two-point advantage with two seconds left. MT managed a last-ditch full-court toss off a missed free throw from UMW, but it missed the target and Western walked away with the rivalry win.

THE OPPOSITION
Montana Tech shot 47.5 percent (29-61) in the run of play, 17.6 percent (3-17) from deep, and 67.9 percent (19-28) from the line. The Orediggers record 50 points in the paint, five points off turnovers, 17 second-chance points, four fast-break points, and 21 bench points. Hayden Diekhans led all players in rebounds (10) and tied for the game-high in scoring (22). He also had a team-best three steals. Camdyn LaRance and Karson Peffer tallied two assists apiece. Ethan Venema posted a game-best four blocks.

LOOKING AHEAD
Western returns to Straugh Gymnasium next week to host #16 Carroll (12/5) and #15 Rocky Mountain (12/6).

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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