BILLINGS, Mont.– The Montana Western men's basketball program (14-7, 9-6 FC) fell to #23 Rocky Mountain (18-3, 13-2 FC) 68-61 Friday.
The Bulldogs outscored the Battlin Bear's in the second half, but couldn't quite overcome the deficit.
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 33.3 percent (16-48) from the floor, 10.5 percent (2-19) from three, and 84.4 percent (27-32) from the foul line.
Western tallied 36 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
The Bulldogs posted 18 points in the paint, six points off turnovers, 10 second-chance points and 30 bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Kyle Gruhler and
Emanuel Steward paced the team with 11 points apiece.
Gruhler and
David Young pulled down a team-best six rebounds each.
Jacob Ankeny dished out a team-high two assists.
Young, Steward, and
Mark Huber each earned one steal.
Ankeny and Young both swatted a block in the game.
NOTABLES
The Bulldogs shot over 80.0 percent from the foul line for the sixth time.
Steward scored in double figures for the 20th time on the campaign.
GAME SUMMARY
The hosts jumped out to an early lead and were up seven, 13-6, after 10 minutes of action.
Rocky Mountain led by as many as 12 late in the first period and led by 10, 29-19, as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
The Bulldogs shot 21.1 percent (4-19) from the field, 14.3 percent (1-7) from three, and 90.9 percent (10-11) from the line in the first half. They tallied 17 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.
Western pulled back within one as time wound down in the second frame, but made free throws helped seal the seven-point win for the Battlin' Bears.
THE OPPOSITION
Rocky Mountain shot 43.9 percent (25-57) from the floor, 35.3 percent (6-17) from three, and 63.2 percent (12-19) from the stripe. The Battlin' Bears tallied 28 rebounds, seven assists, and 12 steals. Omari Nesbit led all players with 22 points, followed by Mekhi Jourdan with 10. Jacob Bilodeau recorded game-highs in both rebounds (10) and assists (three). Royce Robinson and Carter McCoy each tallied three steals.
LOOKING AHEAD
Western takes the court again tomorrow against Carroll. Tipoff is slated 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!
