DICKINSON, N.D. – The (RV) Montana Western men's basketball program (11-3, 6-2 FC) overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to upend Dickinson State (5-9, 3-5) 78-73 Friday evening.
After trailing 11 at the break, the Bulldogs outscored the Blue Hawks 50-34 over the final 20 minutes to seal the five-point victory.
"Really proud of our fight in the second half," head coach
Patrick Jensen said. "Had a lot of guys step up and make big plays when the team needed them."
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 52.8 percent (28-53) from the floor, 44.4 percent (8-18) from three-point range, and 63.6 percent (14-22) from the stripe.
The Bulldogs registered 23 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks, and 10 steals.
They earned 34 points in the paint, 31 points off turnovers, 11 second-chance points, and five bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Kyle Gruhler scored 24 points to lead all players, followed by
Emanuel Steward with 21 and
David Young with 10.
Jacob Ankeny and
Billy Carlson were both close to double figures with nine points each.
Carlson and
Kolter Merritt shared the team-lead with four rebounds apiece.
Carlson also dished out a game-high tying three assists.
Young put in the work defensively with a game-high six steals.
Gruhler and Ankeny each earned a block in the contest.
NOTABLES
Bulldogs shot over 50.0 percent from the floor for the sixth time this season.
Sixth single-digit turnover performance (eight).
Young tied his career high in steals.
Gruhler's 24 points all came in the second half.
Steward posted his sixth 20-point game.
GAME SUMMARY
The Bulldogs were hot early in the game, leading by as many as nine in the first 10 minutes.
The hosts clawed their way back and into the lead, up 11, 39-28, as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Steward had 13 first-half points to pace things offensively for UMW.
Western shot 44.0 percent (11-25) from the field, 33.3 percent from deep, and 37.5 percent (3-8) from the foul line in the first half.
After the break, the Blue Hawks stretched their lead to as many as 13, and held a lead for much of the second half.
The Bulldogs didn't let up on either side of the ball, pulling back to tie the game four times before retaking the lead with four minutes remaining. They did not trail again in the contest and held on for the five-point victory.
THE OPPOSITION
Dickinson State shot 50.9 percent (28-55) from the floor, 18.8 percent (3-16) from distance, and 82.4 percent (14-17) from the line. The Blue Hawks tallied 36 boards, 12 assists, four blocks, and four steals. Cordell Stinson and Griffyn Doughty led the team with 16 points apiece. Stinson also led the game with seven rebounds and tied for the game-high with three helpers. Weston Zacher led all players with two blocks and Detavius Frierson led DSU with two steals.
LOOKING AHEAD
Western is back on the court tomorrow when they take on Bismarck 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!
