Bulldogs Lose In Tight Battle With MSU-Northern

Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Credit Terri Haverfield

DILLON, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (12-13, 5-7) lost their second-straight game after falling 72-68 in a tough battle with the MSU-Northern Lights (11-14, 3-9).

In a game that saw numerous lead changes and knotted up action, the Lights found themselves at the charity stripe for 30 free throws in the game. They would go on to earn 24 points from the free throw line as Western put up an 11 for 13 performance from the line.

How it Happened

After what proved to be a slow scoring start for both teams, MSU-N got the first jump taking a 17-10 lead with 11 minutes to play in the first half.

Abi Adedo hit a jumper that sparked a quick 7-0 run. Following a three-pointer from Kevin Bethel and a free throw from Adedo, the Bulldogs tied the game at 17 all with seven to play in the quarter.

With just over a minute to play in the half, UMW took a narrow 29-27 lead behind a jumper from Quincy Taylor and a three-pointer from Jalyn Stepney. Despite the lead, the Lights capped the quarter with five unanswered points to take a 32-29 lead into the second half.

A quick jumper from the hands of Michael Haverfield gave UMW the first points of the second half. The quick jumpstart was enough to keep the Bulldogs close with the Lights, though trailing for the next five minutes.

It was Haverfield once more who finally got the Bulldogs over the hump and tied the game at 39 with 15:28 on the clock.

After battling for position throughout much of the second half, the Lights ran behind a 9-0 scoring advantage across a two and a half minute stretch to take a 65-55 lead.

Haverfield knocked down a three and converted it into an and one for the four-point play to close the gap to six with two minutes left.

Despite closing the gap to two with 10 seconds after Stepney found the hoop on a quick three, the Bulldogs were unable to make it happen with the little time left and lost 72-68 to the Lights.

Notables

• The Bulldogs outshot the Lights 45.5 to 35.7 percent from the field.

• MSU-N picked up 24 points from trips to the free throw line. UMW totaled twice the number of fouls of the Lights. They totaled 22 fouls compared to 11 from the Lights.

• Haverfield and Adedo led the Bulldogs, scoring 15 points apiece. Haverfield also added three rebounds, a pair of blocks and a steal.

• Quincy Taylor followed with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists.

• Bethel racked up six assists in the game while contributing eight points to the board.
  

Up Next

Montana Western will hit the road this Saturday for a matchup against a tough University of Providence. Tip-off is Saturday, February 17 at 4:00 pm MT.