DILLON, Mont. – The (RV) UMW men's basketball program (14-6, 9-5 FC) was clipped by #15 Montana Tech (16-4, 10-4 FC) 68-64 Friday.
The game came down to the final 30 seconds and four made free throws by the Orediggers proved to be the difference maker.
STAT BREAKDOWN
Western shot 34.3 percent (24-70) from the field, 32.1 percent (9-28) from three, and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the foul line.
The Bulldogs registered 46 rebounds, 14 assists, five blocks, and three steals.
They posted 26 points in the paint, nine points off turnovers, and 16 second-chance points.
LEADERBOARD
David Young led the team with 13 points, followed by
Jacob Ankeny (12) and
Emanuel Steward (11).
Young, Ankeny,
Joshua Whiteside, and
Billy Carlson all registered eight rebounds.
Steward dished out a game-best six assists while Young tied for the game-high in steals (two).
Whiteside shared the game-high in blocks with three.
NOTABLES
Whiteside swatted three blocks for second consecutive contest.
The Bulldogs pulled down a season-high 46 boards.
Ankeny scored in double figures for the second time in the last three outings.
GAME SUMMARY
It was a back-and-forth ball game in the first 20 minutes, featuring four ties.
Neither team led by more than five points in the half, and the visitors held a 34-33 advantage as the teams headed into the break.
UMW shot 35.3 percent (12-34) from the floor, 42.9 percent (6-14) from deep, and 75.0 percent (3-4) from the line in the first half.
The Bulldogs came out firing in the second period, quickly building up a nine-point lead, but the Orediggers clawed their way back into a one-point lead halfway through the frame.
The final 10 minutes was an all-out battle and the two sides were tied at 64 with just over a minute left in regulation. Montana Tech managed to put away the final four points and take the win.
THE OTHER GUYS
The Orediggers shot 44.6 percent (25-56) from the field, 29.4 percent (5-17) from three, and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the charity stripe in the game. They tallied 35 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks, and five steals. Hayden Diekhans led all players in both points (20) and rebounds (nine). Camdyn LaRance led the team in both assists (three) and steals (two). Ethan Venema registered all three blocks for Montana Tech.
LOOKING AHEAD
Western travels to Rocky Mountain (1/30) and Carroll (1/31) next week. Tipoff for both contests is set for 7 p.m. MT.
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!
