The Friends of Jaycee Park hosted their annual dinner and fundraiser raiser on Tuesday, March 21st at the Lewis and Clark Room at UMW. Guests started the evening off with a tiki style bar while they browsed the many silent auction items that had been donated to the fundraiser. The night really got started when Western Football players Junior Mata’afa, Marcus Lombard, Sione Heimuli, Kipa Sakalia, Kenai Liua, Lalio Kaluma, Hirkley Latu, Jrney Mata’afa West Mata’afa, and Jed Hefferman performed the Haka a Maori War Dance. After the performance attendees were treated to a buffet style Luau Dinner with pulled pork, chicken, salads, and desserts. After dinner the Val Prophet Memorial live auction began with auctioneers Jeff Welborn and Gary Ordish bringing in the bids to a lively crowd. Fun was had by all those in attendance and the funds raised will go into upkeep of the park along with a few needed upgrades to help control areas that see water pooling and produce muddy messes. If you would like to donate to the park you can do so here .

Meeting of the Dillon Montana Community Foundation Wednesday March 22, 2023, 5:00 p.m. At Big Sky Cinema, 560 N Montana Street AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Raffle a. Discuss obtaining raffle items and setting a drawing date 3. June Jubilee – June 10, 2023 a. Car Show b. Duck Race c. Community Yard Sale d. First Responders Touch a Truck e. Pie Eating Contest f. Games – Sack Races, Horse Shoes?? g. Car Smash 4. Dillon History Days “The 70’s” July 21-23, 2023 a. Grant Application b. Friday, July 21 Crazy Days City Wide Sidewalk Sales Vendors Downtown Beaverhead County Museum – Train Display Teddy Bear Picnic - Jaycee Park Dillon History Presentation Local performer concert 9 Ball Tournament c. Saturday, July 22 Crazy Days City Wide Sidewalk Sales Vendors Downtown Beaverhead County Museum – Train Display Cribbage Tournament Carma Tyler Memorial Blowin’ Smoke Barbecue Cook Off Sampling Drafts in Dillon Old Fashioned Games “What’s Your Talent” Talent Contest Music Festival d. Sunday, July 23 Community Worship Service, Community Picnic and Old-Fashioned Games (Closed to the Public) Judging for Carma Tyler Memorial Blowin’ Smoke BBQ Cook Off – Sell remaining BBQ. e. Bringing in the History to History Days 5. Kiss the Pig Contest 6. Labor Day Weekend Bazaar September 1-4, 2023 7. Other topics of discussion Committee Members: Stan Smith – Chair Stacey Roundy – Treasurer/Secretary Debbie Sporich Raymond Graham Brenda Womack Rebecca Jones Bill Shafer Candi Whitworth

University of Montana Western Student Wellness would like to invite the community to two upcoming events to be held in the month of April to increase awareness and prevention of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Monday, April 3, 2023- Presentation by Detective Guy Baker Nationally recognized detective, Guy Baker, will be hosting a special presentation on sex trafficking in Montana on April 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lewis & Clark room located in Mathews Hall on the UMW campus. Detective Baker is a thirty-three-year veteran of the Missoula Police Department and an FBI Task Force Officer. This event is free of charge and will feature light refreshments. “Thank you to Detective Guy Baker and Chief Jeremy Alvarez of the Dillon Police Department for making this event possible and sharing their knowledge with the campus and community,” said University of Montana Western Safety & Emergency Management Officer, Monique Schofield. Tuesday, April 4, 2023- Color Run The Second Annual Color Run will take place on April 4 at 3:30 p.m. The event will start on the UMW Campus at the Keltz Arena and will follow a two-mile course around the Barrett Hospital & HealthCare loop. Everyone is welcome to participate in this free event with the goal of raising awareness of sexual assault and prevention. “The Color Run is a fun way to bring the entire community together and raise awareness on a very important topic. The more we know about sexual assault prevention, the better we can support survivors,” said UMW Health and Wellness Coordinator, Emily Curtis. “The Women’s Resource Center and Barrett Hospital continuously dedicate their time and effort to the people of Dillon, and we are very thankful for their support in putting on this event.” If your organization would like to provide an informational table at either event, please email monique.schofield@umwestern.edu.

First, some interesting legislation we have been working on regarding how aerial attack fire fighting is being done, and a new tool to help in that effort. People who fly the drones over wild land fires could soon face criminal penalties under a bill gaining traction at the Montana Legislature. Unauthorized drone flights over wild land fires frequently leave fire managers no choice but to suspend aerial firefighting operations. The genesis behind this bill culminated last summer when a curious fire watcher drone, grounded critical aerial firefighting aircraft outside of Helena. Not only was this a significant risk to aviators, but severely limited our fire suppression capabilities when they were needed most. State Sen. Willis Curdy, a Democrat from Missoula, says civilians using drones to monitor or photograph wild land firefighting operations currently face the possibility of getting slapped with civil penalties. Senate Bill 219 intends to raise the stakes. It now would make the infraction a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,500 and six months in jail. An amendment tacked on in My Senate Natural Resources Committee, would permit law enforcement to “use reasonable force” to disable a drone. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton supports the bill and says that he particularly appreciates that amendment if it leads to saving lives and property. The bill passed the Senate last month with a 37-10 vote. The House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday took no action on the bill. Now from a more high level look into what is happing overall this session, i'd like to share some perspective. Recently in major news papers, and social media in Montana, much of the coverage of our legislative session, seems to be dedicated to pulling together headlines that stirs the viewer’s biases. Make no mistake, I have colleagues on both sides of the aisle who feed these culture wars, offering what I call “red meat” policies, aimed less at solving a problem, and more at provoking a lawsuit. While I typically vote against any policy that inserts more government in peoples lives, or erodes local control, freedom of personal expression, and religion, to healthcare access, and private property rights, less Government in our lives means just that. With that being said, the headlines of modern culture wars, overshadow, the positive news stories about how the 2023 Montana legislature has fared on kitchen table issues, that often get missed. That's unfortunate, because at this point in the legislative session, we have seen significant, and often bipartisan progress on important issues that impact the daily lives and pocket books of all Montanans: Regarding Tax relief: The 2023 Legislature has already sent a package of bills to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk representing the largest tax cut in Montana history. These measures deliver nearly a billion dollars in tax relief to Montanans suffering from heightened inflation by permanently reducing the income tax rate, providing income and property tax rebates, and dropping nearly 5,000 small businesses from the business equipment tax rolls. These tax measures are the fruit of the Legislature’s past commitment to fiscally conservative budgeting, which made room for this historic tax relief. Regarding Healthcare: The Legislature has advanced at least eight proposals aimed at addressing healthcare workforce shortages by eliminating occupational licensure red tape. HB 152 from Rep. Bill Mercer, the signature 2023 bill of the Governor’s Red Tape Relief Initiative, streamlines the entire occupational licensure system to make it easier for licensed healthcare professionals coming from other states to get quickly licensed to work in Montana. SB 112 from Sen. Tom McGillvray and HB 313 from Rep. Jodee Etchart will leverage Montana pharmacists and physician assistants to fill gaps in our healthcare system, especially in rural underserved areas, by providing them with greater authority to treat and care for patients under their license. On Education Policy: The Legislature has advanced several proposals to empower parents with more choice in their child’s education. Also are proposals on better and more efficient reporting requirements with The Office of Public Instruction. We have also passed funding for educational opportunity for students entering career level educational opportunities aside from traditional higher ed. From my perspective the Montana Legislature is quietly delivering on serious, mostly bi-partisan policies of fiscal responsibility, economic freedom, and red tape relief.

Rebecca Jones, Executive Director of the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, will be the guest speaker at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday, March 22nd at noon. She will be sharing about Beaverhead County tourism. Visitors are welcome to attend, and anyone interested in learning more about the Rotary organization is invited to be a guest for lunch. The Rotary Club meets in the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, located at 203 East Glendale Street. For more information about the Rotary Club, email Matthew Fullerton at matthewfullerton@me.com .

Saturday, March 18th the Youth Connections Mentoring program held their annual Icebreaker Polar Dip. The annual fundraiser gives teams the chance to take a refreshing dip in the Blacktail Meadows Kids Fishing Pond. The event has prizes for those competing for best individual costume as well as best team theme. This year saw around 8 teams take the plunge. Those teams include Engine 18 sponsored by Engine 18, UMW Football sponsored by Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan, BCHS Volleyball team sponsored by Dillon Jaycees, State Bank, Ortho Rehab, Stockman Bank, and Beaverhead Home Center. Congratulations to those who braved the cold weather for a good cause.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana Judiciary Committee Meeting ~ Agenda ~ Tuesday, March 21, 2023 4:00 PM 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Discuss/Recommendation of Revising Title 15.24 Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations 3. Discussion/Recommendation of Parking Evasion Draft 4. Discussion/Recommendation of Film Permit for The City of Dillon 5. Public Comment On Items Of Significant Public Interest Not On The Agenda And Within The Jurisdiction Of The City 6. Adjourn Committee Members: Dan Nye (Chair); Raymond Graham; Diane Armstrong

The University of Montana Western and the Dillon Public Library would like to invite the community to celebrate Japanese Culture in Western Montana with a series of events to be held March 24 and 25, 2023. The events and activities for all ages will take place throughout the city of Dillon including the University of Montana Western, Dillon Public Library, and many local businesses. Weekend Events: Japanese Art Exhibits Japanese Horticulture Craft Sake Cocktails Samples of Sushi Japanese style Felting Project Artifacts from Heart Mountain Furoshiki Author Talks Japanese Tea Ceremony Samurai Armor & Robot Demonstration Japanese Movies Japanese Writing Japanese Flower Arrangement Sato Family History Thank you to the generous sponsors and contributors who have helped make this event possible. For more information, please call 406-683-4544. Event passports will be available for pickup starting March 20 at the Dillon Public Library.

The Annual Colt Challenge and Sale, hosted by the University of Montana Western and the Montana Center for Horsemanship, will take place March 31 and April 1, 2023, at the Montana Center for Horsemanship in Dillon, Montana. Students and colts compete in a series of events that demonstrate their wide range of abilities on the first day, and the following day, a public auction features the colts for sale, with all proceeds reinvested in the program in order to provide scholarships to Natural Horsemanship majors at the University of Montana Western. Schedule of Events: Friday, March 31st Colt Challenge: 9:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1st Preview: 10:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Sale: 1:00 p.m. Each colt receives approximately 90 days of Natural Horsemanship training from equine students in the Natural Horsemanship/Equine Studies Bachelor of Science Degree program at Montana Western, under the guidance and leadership of the MCH Natural Horsemanship instructors. This year’s event will showcase 22 best-bred colts donated by some of the finest ranches in the region. The young horses are familiarized with all settings inside and out, including enclosed areas and riding outdoors on the area’s many trails and in the surrounding mountains. They are also exposed to a variety of situations including working with cattle and ropes, loading and unloading from trailers, and many other scenarios a horse and rider might encounter in ranch-work or recreational riding. Simultaneously, both students and instructors develop an in-depth feel for each horse, enabling them to accurately convey this knowledge to potential buyers. The horses and students are featured on Facebook leading up to the main event with information about the colts including their color, conformation, personalities, and skills. More information about the 2023 Colt Challenge and Sale, including the sale catalog, will be available on the University of Montana Western website as the event approaches. Those interested in attending the auction can do so in person, online, or by phone. To bid online, participants must pre-register at least one day prior to the sale. To pre-register, please visit bid.northernlivestockvideo.com and click “Get Approved to Bid.” Participants can then bid online via desktop by visiting www.northernlivestockvideo.com the day of the sale or by downloading the Northern Livestock Auction mobile app. To bid by phone, pre-register by calling Northern Livestock Video Auction at 866-616-5035 before the sale day to obtain a bid number. Bidders can then phone in the day of the sale by calling 406-245-0889. The sale order will be posted on Friday, March 31 by 5:00 p.m. on the Montana Western Colt Challenge and Sale website and Facebook page. The Annual Colt Challenge and Sale corporate sponsors include CHS Inc., New Generation Supplements, Rocky Mountain Supply, and Zinpro Performance Minerals in partnership with the University of Montana Western and the Montana Center for Horsemanship. Saturday’s complimentary lunch is sponsored by Beaverhead Motors. American National Insurance sponsored this year’s saddle for the Colt Challenge winner. We wish to thank our sponsors for their generous support of the event and the students in the program. The Equine Studies Department at the University of Montana Western offers the nation’s only Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Horsemanship with options in management, psychology, science and instruction, and was ranked among the “Best Equestrian Colleges” by ThoughtCo.com. The Montana Center for Horsemanship is the first and only equine center in the United States that is devoted expressly to promoting ‘Natural Horsemanship.’ With its stables, arenas, riding areas, and instructors, the center serves as the primary facility and progressive teaching resource for Montana Western’s Natural Horsemanship BS curriculum. The MCH teaches the ‘La Cense Method,’ which was developed under William Kriegel, owner of La Cense Montana and Haras de la Cense in France. Mr. Kriegel is also co-founder of MCH, and he has been involved in Natural Horsemanship for many years. The La Cense Method is a progressive, step-by-step process that blends the best of traditional horsemanship training with the art of training and riding horses—all in a manner that works with a horse’s behavior, instincts, and personality. Taking a positive and respectful approach, the La Cense Method gradually builds trust, and frees the horses to be confident in all they are asked to perform. For more information about the Colt Challenge and Sale, please contact Head Natural Horsemanship Instructor, Eric Hoffmann, by email at eric.hoffmann@umwestern.edu or call 406-925-1499.

Dillon Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire Friday afternoon located at Right Turn Clyde RV Park. A fifth wheel camp trailer was fully engulfed in flames. Even with a quick response the firefighters were unable to save the structure and it was a complete loss. The fifth wheel was in a space that was away from other campers helping to stop it from spreading; no injuries were reported.

It's that time of the year to get on your green and claim you are Irish. St. Patrick's day is always a fun time in Southwestern Montana and we just happen to have all things happening. If you have an event or if you are having a special on your menu and you want to get it added to our rundown email us at southwesternmtnews@gmail.com so we can get it added. Thursday, March 16th Community Dinner Community dinner is served from 5:30-7:00 p.m. If you're running late, please call 683-5552 and we'll save it for you. Takeout is also available. $12 adult / $6 children under 10 / $6 Veteran ~Corned Beef & Cabbage~ Dinner includes entree, potato, soup & salad bar, roll, coffee or tea, and dessert. Stay for bingo at 7 p.m. (must be over 18 to play) Lounge is open on Thursday night from 5 p.m. to close! Friday, March 17th St Patrick's Day Raffle for 5 Cubic Yards of Gravel! All you have to do is stop by our office at R. E. Miller & Sons wearing green and you will be given a raffle ticket to enter our raffle drawing for 5 cubic yards of gravel (Delivery not included) No purchase necessary to enter. Friday, March 17 - Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church - 5:30pm at Family Life Center on Sebree St. Friday, March 17 - Jackson Hot Springs St. Patty's Day - Featuring Classic Corned Beef & Cabbage starting at 5pm www.jacksonhotsprings.com or 406-834-3115! Friday, March 17 - Fetty's in Wisdom St. Patrick's Day Dinner Buffet - 5-9pm - Drive to Wisdom and enjoy your Irish Favorites like Irish Seafood Chowder, Irish Breaded Tenderloins and Guinness Chocolate Cake! The Cottage will be giving a free gifts Friday with any purchase, plus they will be entered into a drawing for a good luck basket! St Patrick's Day Parade in Butte Montana Parade Route: begins at the corner of Arizona and Granite Streets, proceeding West on Granite to Montana Street, South on Montana to Park Street, and finally East on Park toward Arizona Street where the parade will conclude! ` Butte St. Patrick's Day Color Run The Butte St. Patrick’s Day Color Run will be held @ 3:30 Friday March 17, 2023 at the Maroon Activities Center. This Color Run is a healthy, alternative activity option to youth, families and the community to participate in on St. Patrick’s Day. The Color Run will consist of a short course around the Maroon Activities Center football field. You can run, walk or skip along the course laps, over fun obstacles as you are adorned with brilliantly colored powder from a number of “color stations” along the way. In addition, food, music, and activities hosted by students will be present. All children 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. This venue is a substance free facility and event. Sat/Sun, March 18-19 - MT Western Classic Basketball Tournament - UMW campus - 41 teams grades 3-9 boys/girls and their families will be here in Dillon this weekend! St Pat's Hurling Match 2pm The fastest game on grass finally returns as Butte's own homegrown Wolfe Tones take on Missoula's mighty Thomas Meagher Hurling Club. After you've taken in the world famous parade, catch the Butte Trolley at Park St Liquor for a free ride through beautiful uptown Butte to Bob Green field where the action will promise to be fierce. If you haven't seen a live hurling match, you're in for an unforgettable treat. The national sport of Ireland is quickly growing in popularity throughout the US, and here is your chance to be a part of some serious Irish culture on the greatest day of the year. The hour will be quick, action packed, and a highlight of the big day! Throw in at 2:00 sharp. The event is FREE thanks to our two main sponsors... Granite Mountain Bank and the State Farm offices of Leo McCarthy, Jim Lynch, and Mike Paffhausen. Saturday March 18th Goodbye Winter! Hello Spring Come down to see what some local small businesses have in their shops. Easter is coming and now would be a great time to stock up on some great items and support local businesses. ***Scentsy, The Hen Den Boutique, Moore Wild Designs & Kindred Spirits Boutique**** Orders can be taken at the event as well. Hope to see you there. IF4 Live Event | Dillon, MT Western Montana University | March 18, 2023 Doors open at 6:30 PM. Film begins AT 7:00 PM. Hosted by: Chuck Robbins 656 Trout Unlimited For information about this screening, please contact host at hwlodgemt@gmail.com. For questions about IF4™ or the presentation email info@flyfilmfest.com. Sunday, March 19th Joe Brandon Fundraiser Sunday, March 19th at Maverick Mountain Silent Auction all day Dinner 4-6pm Live music! Come ski for Joe! This is a fundraiser for our friend Joe Brandon. Joe had a life threatening illness in which he spent two months in the hospital in critical care. We are trying to help raise funds for medical bills and living costs. Please join us at Maverick and support our friend. You can also donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/joe-brandon-medical-fund

The Montana Youth Challenge Academy, in partnership with the Montana National Guard 1-189th (General Support Aviation Battalion) and the University of Montana Western, will be hosting two airlift events this spring. The first airlift event will be held the evening of Thursday, March 23, 2023, and will provide members of state leadership the opportunity to experience the impact of MYCA on communities across Montana. The event also serves as a training activity for the National Guard, providing valuable and required training hours. Please be aware that military aircraft (helicopters) will be flying in and out of the Dillon airport on March 23. Legislators will learn more about the Challenge Model of youth development and UMW’s Experience One program. A select group of Youth Challenge cadets will meet with representatives from their respective hometown districts to share their experiences and future goals. Diploma pathways for non-traditional students in Montana have become increasingly important, and increased understanding of the Youth Challenge program, and the needs of its participants, will empower our state leaders in advocating for future opportunities. On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the Montana Youth Challenge Academy, in partnership with the Montana National Guard 1-189th (General Support Aviation Battalion) and the University of Montana Western, will host an Educator Airlift event throughout the business day. Please be aware that military aircraft (helicopters) will be landing and taking off from UMW’s football practice fields, located on the south side of campus. This event allows Montana high school administrators, counselors, and staff an opportunity to tour MYCA/UMW facilities, observe cadets and staff, learn more about the Challenge Model of youth development and UMW’s Experience One program. Attendees will be flying in from locations across the state including the cities of: Kalispell, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Butte, Billings, Miles City, and Bozeman. The purpose of this event is to create statewide partnerships so that MYCA can better support Montana’s youth. Hosting educators from across the state would be nearly impossible without the transportation support provided by the National Guard. Air Guard members will also be completing valuable and required training hours through their support of this event. To ensure public safety, it is critical that all observers stay clear of the UMW practice fields on April 12. For more information, please contact the Montana Youth Challenge Academy at 406-960-4424.

Dillon, Montana – The Southwest Montana Friends of NRA plan to hold a banquet on Saturday, April 29th with a social beginning at 5 pm at UM Western Keltz Arena on South Atlantic St. Tickets may be purchased at the Bitterroot Trading Post, Rocky Mountain Supply, 3-D Store, or from any committee member. For Information or to request tickets call 406-925-1871. Sponsorship Opportunities are available beginning with the Legacy Level of $400. Friends of NRA is a key grassroots event that supports thousands of community service activities related to firearm education, hunter safety, wildlife conservation, range improvements, youth marksmanship, and law enforcement among others. Working with NRA field representatives, the members and volunteers organize banquets in their communities, complete with auctions, special drawings and fellowship. Much of the merchandise at the banquets is donated or provided at reduced cost by hundreds of participating vendors. Friends of NRA is an exciting grassroots fund raising program run by people from all walks of life. At a Friends of NRA banquet, you’ll meet fire chiefs, engineers, shopkeepers, police officers and teachers: all mainstream citizens working together to support an important cause in preserving our rights and heritage. Half of the money raised by each Friends of NRA banquet will be spent in the state in which it was held. The other half supports qualifying national-level programs like the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program, Women On Target, and other educational and safety services. State Fund Committees made up of volunteers review grant applications from local organizations and make recommendations to The NRA Foundation on how the money might best be used in their areas. For more information about Friends of NRA, visit www.friendsofnra.org. Established in 1990, The NRA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. These activities are designed to promote firearm and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and to educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context. More information about The NRA Foundation can be found online at www.nrafoundation.org , or by calling (800) 423-6894. For more information contact Treasurer Joan at 406-925-1871.

Program provides loans to Montana manufacturers for equipment upgrades, replacement or expansion The Montana Department of Commerce today announced it is accepting pre-applications for the newly created Montana Automation Loan Program (Program). In partnership with lenders, the program will provide loans for Montana manufacturing businesses to update, replace or expand equipment. “Montana manufacturers employ thousands of highly skilled Montanans,” said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “This program will help Montana manufacturers make needed updates to equipment that will enhance their workforce – enabling them to produce more and expand their businesses.” According to the most recent Montana Manufacturing Report from the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, the manufacturing industry accounts for over 20% of Montana’s economic base, employing over 21,000 Montanans at 4,100 firms. Additionally, Montana’s manufacturing employment and output growth was more than double the national average in recent years. Eligible applicants are Montana-based manufacturing business who: Are in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office or Tribal Government, as well as the Montana Department of Revenue; Derive at least 51% of their revenue from the sale of manufactured goods; and Have operated in Montana for at least three years prior to applying. Businesses who receive a loan through the program will get a 0% deferred loan for up to 50% of the purchase price, up to $500,000 of the production equipment on the state participation portion. If approved: The loan would be deferred for one year. Businesses would be eligible to purchase and install production equipment that will result in a 20% return on investment with a payback period of at least five years. Loans will be included in the Capital Investment Justification Report, prepared by the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center . The pre-application and guidelines are found here. The Montana Automation Loan Program is administered by the Business MT Division of the Montana Department of Commerce. Business MT supports Montana’s innovative industries to grow businesses and commerce across the state. Visit business.mt.gov for more information.

From The Dillon Police Department Facebook page. On March 15, 2023 at approximately 9:20pm the Dillon Police received notice of a Dillon Middle School student making threats towards the school. The school was notified and they have taken appropriate measures to make sure the school is safe. Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Department is assisting us at this time. There will be an increased level of law enforcement at the school. At this time there is no active threat. Jeremy Alvarez Chief of Police

SIOUX CITY, IOWA - The Montana Western Women’s Basketball team fell 66-62 in tonight’s matchup with the No. 3 ranked and No. 1 seeded Thomas More (Ky.). The Bulldogs finish the season 28-6. “Certainly not the result that we wanted. We were sluggish from the start in the first five minutes. I thought once we settled in, we defended pretty well the rest of the game. Ultimately, we did not make enough shots in the first half. When you are chasing a team that is as good as Thomas More, you need to capitalize when you can. Proud of everything that our seniors gave to this program the last few years.” Head Coach Lindsay Woolley said after the game. How It Happened Montana Western struggled to get going early in the first quarter as Thomas More (Ky.) used the three-point ball to go on an early 13-4 run. Shainy Mack knocked down a three with a minute and a half to go, bringing the Bulldogs back within four. Down 19-13 at the start of the second, Mesa King connected with the basket on three straight possessions to bring the Bulldogs back within one at 19-18. Thomas More’s Alex Smith drained back-to-back threes boosting the Saints to a 28-24 lead at the half. In a back-and-forth second half, the lead changed hands multiple times. The Bulldogs narrowly outscored the Saints across the third 18-17, trailed three heading into the fourth. It remained a one-possession contest most of the fourth quarter. Mack tied the game for the Bulldogs at 45 after hitting a layup and a free throw on an and one opportunity with 8:45 left in the game. With 3:16 left in the matchup, Brynley Fitzgerald hit a three-pointer to bring the Bulldogs within one. The Saints continued on to take a seven-point lead with a minute left after a quick 6-0 run. Thomas More continued on to hit their free throws down the stretch to top the Bulldogs 66-62. Notables • Montana Western finishes their season in the NAIA National Championship quarterfinals, their first since the 2019 championship season. They went on to outshoot Thomas More from the floor as TMU shot 36.8 percent compared to UMW’s 44.7%. • Both teams shot above 30% from three-point range, TMU shot 35.5 percent as UMW shot 36.0 percent. • The Bulldogs struggled to overcome turnovers in tonight’s matchup after they totaled 16 in the game. The Saints totaled just six and converted 17 points off of Bulldog turnovers. • Shainy Mack led the Bulldogs with 17 points and two assists. • Jordan Sweeney and Brynley Fitzgerald followed with 14 points each. Sweeney added seven rebounds and three assists. Fitzgerald added six rebounds and two steals. • Mesa King grabbed eight rebounds for the Bulldogs. Final Season Notes The Bulldogs finished the season with an overall record of 28-6. As a team, the Bulldogs led the conference with a 45.1 shooting percentage, 34.7 three-point percentage, 10.6 steals per game, and 72.1 points per game. Montana Western had five individuals recognized for their achievements in the 2022-23 season. Brynley Fitzgerald was named Co-Conference Player of the Year. Fitzgerald quickly rose to become the second all-time leading scoring in Montana Western women's basketball history. She accumulated 1783 points as a Bulldog, leading UMW this season with an average of 18.2 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and shooting 43.0 percent from the field. Jordan Sweeney was selected Newcomer of the Year. Emily Cooley was selected Freshman of the Year. Sweeney was also named First Team All-Conference. Mesa King was named Honorable Mention All-Conference, as well as being named to the All-Defensive Team and being selected as Montana Western Women's Basketball's Champions of Character recipient.