BUTTE, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (12-10) fell in a close road game to No. 9 Montana Tech (20-2), 68-66, this afternoon.
Jalyn Stepney led the Bulldogs with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including four three-pointers.
How it Happened:
In a tightly contested first half, the Bulldogs and Orediggers traded baskets.
Alan Kane opened the scoring for Western, netting five of his seven first-half points early.
The Bulldogs would hold Montana Tech to just 1-of-9 from three-point range and
Kyle Gruhler led the rebounding effort with eight, helping UMW out-rebound Tech 20-13 and convert seven second-chance points. Tech would lead 28-27 at the half.
Stepney would score 18 of his 21 points as the teams remained neck and neck, with no lead exceeding five points.
Trailing 64-60 in the final minute, Stepney drilled a three while drawing a foul, sinking the free throw to tie it at 64. Tech quickly regained the lead at 66-64 with 35 seconds left.
Kevin Bethel then drove for a layup to tie the game at 66 with 10 seconds remaining. On the final possession, the Orediggers hit a jumper with 0.6 seconds left to edge out a 68-66 victory.
Notables:
- Kolter Merritt scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds, went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and added two assists.
- Kyle Gruhler recorded a game-high nine rebounds.
- Nine different Bulldogs scored.
- Five Bulldogs registered one steal each.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return home to take on (RV) Rocky Mountain College this Thursday, February 6, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
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