College of Idaho IDAHO 1-1, 0-0

Montana Western (MT) WESTERN 4-0, 0-0

College of Idaho IDAHO

1-1, 0-0

Final

Nov. 03, 2025

Montana Western (MT) WESTERN

4-0, 0-0

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
College of Idaho IDAHO	38	41	79
Montana Western (MT) WESTERN	40	56	96

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | November 3, 2025 | Claire Gay

Bulldogs Stun No. 1: Defeat College of Idaho 96-79 Monday Evening

DILLON, Mont. – The UMW men's basketball program (4-0) upset reigning national champion and preseason no. 1 College of Idaho 96-79 Monday evening in the Straugh Gymnasium. It marks Western's first regular-season win over a no. 1 team in program history.

After leading by two at the break (40-38) the Bulldogs outscored the Yotes by 15 (56-41) down the stretch to put the game away.

"Couldn't be more proud of the grit and toughness our guys showed tonight," head coach Patrick Jensen said. "We have more big challenges ahead."

STAT BREAKDOWN

Western shot 51.6 percent (33-64) from the field, 50.0 percent (13-26) from beyond the arc, and 77.3 percent (17-22) from the foul line in the contest.

The Bulldogs tallied 26 points in the paint, eight points off turnovers, 12 second-chance points, and 26 bench points.

UMW held the statistical advantage in rebounds (43-42), assists (22-7), and blocks (10-4) but were out earned in steals (2-8).

The Red and Black overcame a 10-rebound deficit (16-26) in the first half to win the boards battle.

NOTABLES
Western has shot over 50.0 percent from the floor in three straight contests.

Highest assist total since 2021-22 season (28 against Yellowstone Christian).

Most blocked shots since 2012, when UMW swatted 13 against Rocky Mountain.

LEADERBOARD

Kyle Gruhler led the Bulldogs with 27 points, shooting 60.0 percent from both the floor (9-15) and from distance (6-10) while also sinking all three free-throw attempts. He added three rebounds, three assists, and one block on the night.

Also in double figures for Western were Emanuel Steward (22) and Mark Huber (15). Steward hit 42.9 percent (6-14) and tied for the game-high in both assists (four) and blocks (three) while adding five rebounds.

Huber scored all 15 points in the second period and was perfect from the floor , draining 5-of-5 shots, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. He tied with Steward for the game-high in assists with four.

Joshua Whiteside tied for a game-best with seven boards. He also earned four points, two blocks, and one assist.

Jacob Ankeny swatted three blocks to share the game-high with Steward while putting up six points, three assists, and five boards. His two dunks in the second half got the crowd on its feet and helped push the Bulldogs to the win.

Billy Carlson led the team with two steals while chipping in eight points, five rebounds, and an assist. He also shot 100.0 from the floor (4-of-4)

GAME SUMMARY
The Yotes earned an and-one layup to start the game 3-0, but that would be their only lead of the contest. Gruhler tied things up with a quick three pointer and the Bulldogs were off and running.

Western led by as many as 11 in the first period, but College of Idaho clawed its way back to tie it at 38. Another timely shot from Gruhler put UMW up two, 40-38, as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Steward led all players with 14 points, followed by Gruhler (13) and David Young (seven). Whiteside pulled down three boards, Jacksen Burckley dished out three assists, Ankeny had two blocks, and Carlson snagged a steal in the first half.

At the break, the Bulldogs were shooting 46.9 percent (15-32) from the floor, 50.0 percent (7-14) from deep, and 75.0 percent (3-4) from the line. They tallied 16 rebounds, 10 assists, five blocks, and one steal in the period.

Western wouldn't be stopped in the second half, quickly jumping back out to a nine-point lead. College of Idaho wouldn't get closer than five for the rest of the game.

With a riotous crowd behind them, the Bulldogs made big plays on both ends of the court and cruised to the 17-point victory.

THE OTHER GUYS
The Yotes shot 35.5 percent (27-76) from the field, 23.1 percent (6-26) from three, and 86.4 percent (19-22) from the line. Dougie Peoples and Samaje Morgan shared the team lead with 19 points apiece while Utrillo Morris (14) and Rey Johnston (11) were also in double figures. Chance Winter tied for the game-high with seven rebounds and recorded all four blocks for CI. Morgan earned a team-high three assists and Peoples snagged a game-best four steals.

LOOKING AHEAD
Up next, the Bulldogs travel to Butte, Mont., to take part in the Montana Tech Tip-Off Classic Nov. 7-8. They will face off against LC State and OUAZ.

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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