BELLEVUE, Neb. – The (RV) Montana Western men's basketball program (14-4, 9-3 FC) was clipped by Bellevue (15-3, 10-2 FC) 80-67 Friday.
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 41.5 percent (22-53) from the field, 33.3 percent (7-21) from three, and 76.2 percent (16-21) from the foul line.
The Bulldogs registered 29 rebounds, 12 assists, four blocks, and six steals.
They earned 22 points in the paint, 17 points off turnovers, 10 second-chance points, and two fast-break points.
LEADERBOARD
Emanuel Steward led the game in both points (22), and assists (five).
Kyle Gruhler (15) and
Jacob Ankeny (10) were also in double figures.
Ankeny posted a double-double, adding a game-high 10 rebounds. He and
Billy Carlson tied for the game-lead in steals with two each.
Kolter Merritt earned a game-best two blocks.
NOTABLES
Ankeny posted his first double-double of the season.
Steward tallied 20 points for the eighth time.
UMW reached double digits in assists for the 12th straight game.
The Bulldogs shot over 40.0 percent for the eight straight game.
GAME SUMMARY
The opening 10 minutes were a battle between the two sides, but Bellevue managed to gain a slight edge mid-way through the period.
The Bruins stretched their lead to 14, 40-26, by the end of the half.
UMW shot 33.3 percent (9-27) from the floor, 27.3 percent (3-11) from distance, and 71.4 percent (5-7) from the free throw line in the first half. The Bulldogs posted 13 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks.
The Bulldogs defense pulled them within seven with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
Bellevue managed to pull ahead by double digits once again later in the half and the hosts closed out the 13-point win.
THE OPPOSITION
The Bruins shot 47.5 percent (29-61) from the field, 33.3 percent (6-18) from three, and 64.0 percent (16-25) from the stripe. They tallied 42 rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and two blocks. Jaden Phillips dropped a team-best 21 points, followed by Ahamad Bynum (18), RJ Smith (15), and Jermaine Haliburton (12). Smith and Mathok Mathok tied for the team-lead with eight rebounds apiece. Haliburton dished out a team-high four assists while Deng Jal snagged a game-high tying two steals. Liam Thompson and Mathok each swatted a block for Bellevue.
LOOKING AHEAD
Western takes the court again tomorrow against Dakota State. Tipoff is slated 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!
