DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (15-11) secured the regular-season series against the University of Providence (14-12) with a thrilling 100-94 overtime victory this evening.
Kyle Gruhler led the Bulldogs with 25 points, including a career-high six three-pointers.
How It Happened:
Gruhler opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with two three-pointers, while Abi Adedo contributed four points inside. Jacob Ankeny provided a spark off the bench with key interior scoring, but Providence's three-point shooting kept the game close at 23-23 midway through the half.
Jalyn Stepney and Gruhler each knocked down three-pointers, and Adedo continued his strong inside play to keep Western ahead. However, an 8-0 run by Providence gave the Argos a 41-40 halftime lead.
Kolter Merritt started the second half with a dunk to put Western back in front, but the game remained tightly contested. Providence responded with a 7-0 run to take a 59-51 lead, but the Bulldogs quickly answered with a 5-0 spurt to cut the deficit to three with ten minutes to play.
The Argos extended their lead to five but clutch three-point shooting from Gruhler kept the Bulldogs in the game. His late triple gave Western a one-point lead with a minute remaining, but Providence answered to tie it at 85-85. The Bulldogs had a chance to win in regulation, but a key defensive stop by Providence sent the game to overtime.
Western's defense opened overtime with a crucial stop, leading to a basket from Kevin Bethel on the other end. Ankeny then took control of the game on both ends, grabbing key rebounds and scoring six points to help seal the Bulldogs' victory.
Notables:
Up Next
The Bulldogs will hit the road up to Butte to take on #9 Montana Tech this Thursday, February 20, with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
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