HELENA, Mont.– The Montana Western men's basketball program (14-8, 9-8 FC) was clipped by Carroll (15-6, 13-3 FC) 80-60 Saturday.
Turnovers were a difference maker in the ball game as the Bulldogs uncharacteristically committed 22 compared to just eight from the Fighting Saints.
STAT BREAKDOWN
UMW shot 33.3 percent (22-66) from the floor, 24.3 percent (9-37) from three, and 63.6 percent (7-11) from the foul line.
Western tallied 48 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and six blocks.
The Bulldogs posted 26 points in the paint, five points off turnovers, 13 second-chance points and 34 bench points.
LEADERBOARD
Quincy Taylor led the team with 11 points, followed by
Emanuel Steward with 10.
Kolter Merritt and
Joshua Whiteside tied for the game high with eight rebounds each.
Mark Huber tallied a team-best four assists while Steward, Merritt, and
Kyle Gruhler all posted one steal.
Merritt swatted a game-best three blocks.
NOTABLES
Merritt earned a season-high in blocks.
Taylor tied for his season-high in points.
The Bulldogs pulled down a season-high 48 boards.
Western swatted at least five blocks for the ninth time.
GAME SUMMARY
The Fighting Saints took an early lead in the contest, and led by as many as 15 in the first 20 minutes.
Western pulled back within 10, down 39-29 at the half time break.
The Bulldogs shot 32.4 percent (11-34) from the field, 25.0 percent (5-20) from three, and 100.0 percent (2-2) from the foul line in the first half. They registered 28 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
UMW were cold coming out of the half, allowing Carroll to stretch its lead to 32.
Though Western shot better over the final 15 minutes of action, it couldn't overcome the deficit, and the hosts took the win.
THE OPPOSITION
Carroll shot 44.9 percent (31-69) from the floor, 33.3 percent (6-18) from three, and 66.7 percent (12-18) from the foul line. The Fighting Saints earned 40 rebounds, 18 assists, 17 steals, and one block. Isaiah Crane led all players with 16 points, followed by Isaac Round (15), Kellen Harrison (13), Drew Jones (11), and Nate Christy (10) also in double figures. Round tied for the game-high with eight rebounds and dished out a game-best six assists. Lorence Dela Cruz snagged a game-best seven steals and Gavin Gross swatted the lone block of the game for Carroll.
LOOKING AHEAD
Western is back home for four strait games, with a matchup against Bismarck State up first.
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!
