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On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025, the Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Team was on patrol in the area of the I-15 Business Loop when deputies observed a vehicle being operated by an individual with outstanding warrants. Deputies initiated a traffic stop and, during the investigation, located fentanyl powder. Due to its extreme potency and danger, fentanyl has recently been classified as a weapon of mass destruction. Deputies took proactive measures to ensure their safety and the safety of the public. The male driver was arrested on multiple charges. Following the arrest, deputies executed a search warrant at a nearby hotel room connected to the investigation. During the search, deputies located additional dangerous controlled substances, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. A female found in the hotel room was arrested on charges related to possession of dangerous drugs. Authorities emphasize that fentanyl is incredibly potent, with even a few milligrams capable of being lethal. Accidental exposure to fentanyl powder poses a serious risk to anyone in close proximity. The Beaverhead County Sheriff’s Office stated it remains committed to aggressively pursuing dangerous drugs and those who traffic them, stressing that efforts will continue to protect the people of Montana and that offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers December 31, 2025 10:00 A.M. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE     A.         FINANCE COMMITTEE  – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Diane Armstrong                         a.         Approve December 29, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes                         b.          Approve Line Item Budget Report                                     i.          Approve Fund Summary for Claims for December 2025                                     ii.         Approve Claims by Vendor Report for December 2025                                     iii.        Approve Mayor’s Report to the Finance Committee for December                                                             2025                                     iv.        Approve Budget vs. Actual Report for December 2025                                           B.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   C.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

Sunday, Dec. 28, first responders were called to a residence off Highway 278 for a vehicle fire. According to officials, the vehicle owner had started their truck to warm it up in the cold weather and left it running while attending to other tasks. A short time later, flames were observed coming from the vehicle. Thanks to the quick actions of the vehicle owner and a rapid response from the Dillon Volunteer Fire Department, the fire was quickly contained and extinguished. Damage was limited to the vehicle, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were unable to determine the exact cause of the fire, but believe it may have been the result of a faulty fuel connection.

The University of Montana Western is proud to announce the 56th Annual Montana Western Rodeo Banquet, a highly anticipated fundraising event taking place Friday, March 27, 2026, in the Keltz Arena on the UMW campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with no-host cocktails to kick off an evening of celebration, community, and support for the Montana Western Rodeo Team. The night will feature a prime rib dinner, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to meet and celebrate the Montana Western Rodeo Team. The evening’s guest speaker will be J.R. Vezain, a six-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) bareback rider from Cowley, Wyoming. Vezain competed at the highest level of professional rodeo before a 2018 injury ended his riding career. Since then, he has become a motivational speaker, rancher, and advocate for perseverance, sharing his inspiring story of resilience, grit, and life beyond the arena. We are also excited to share a change to the dining setup.  “To show our gratitude for our guests, we’ve made a small change this year to make the evening more comfortable,” said Jolene Robbins, UMW Foundation Special Events Coordinator. “The dinner line will be outside under tents to create more space inside the Keltz.” Proceeds from the event directly support the Montana Western Rodeo Team through scholarships, travel expenses, and program needs, helping student-athletes continue a long tradition of excellence in collegiate rodeo. “This banquet is one of our most important events each year,” said Head Coach JT Robbins. “It brings our community together to support our student-athletes and celebrate the sport of rodeo, and the encouragement, sponsorships, mentorship, and cheering — sometimes from hundreds of miles away — truly mean more than you know.” Ticket Information: Single tickets:  $75 Reserved table of eight (Rows 1–4):  $600 Reserved table of eight (Rows 5–8):  $500 Tickets can be purchased through the Montana Western Foundation Office by calling Kelly Allen at 406-683-7306 starting January 5, 2026. For more information or to donate items for the live or silent auctions, please contact Jolene Robbins   at 406-683-7303 or 406-660-1127.

THREE FORKS – Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are seeking information on a pictograph panel that was vandalized at Missouri Headwaters State Park. The graffiti was discovered this month at a popular destination for park visitors that contains a visible pictograph consisting of a human figure in solid red. An initial assessment of the vandalism indicates a person likely used a paintbrush to paint over a portion of the existing pictograph and made about 10 markings in other areas of the limestone panel. This may have also damaged other pictographs at the site that are not readily visible. This culturally sensitive site and the surrounding area have ties to many different groups of indigenous peoples dating back thousands of years. The area includes the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River, and it hosted a camp for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. Removing graffiti without damaging existing cultural resources can be extremely difficult and expensive. “We’re asking for the public’s help in protecting this site and the other invaluable resources at our state parks,” said Linnaea Schroeer, FWP’s parks and outdoor recreation program manager in Region 3. “Keeping these places in good shape for future generations depends on everyone.” Anyone with possible information about this incident is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details or to contact a game warden. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

FARGO, N.D. - The Victory Sports Network (VSN) has released its NAIA Football All-American Teams, VSN founder Jason Dannelly announced Monday . Eli Nourse (first team), Tyler Walker (second team), Michael Palandri (honorable mention), and Jace Fitzgerald (honorable mention) all received nods for Western. The VSN NAIA Football team is compiled by Dannelly of the Victory Sports Network. Nominations are automatically taken from First Team selections from the All-Conference teams in the NAIA. Input on the selections comes from coaches, SIDs and media members around the NAIA. The final selections are made by Dannelly. VSN NAIA All-American First Team - Wide Receiver Eli Nourse - Dillon, Mont. / JR Nourse totaled 78 receptions for 1,192 yards (119.2 yards per game) in his junior campaign, setting school records in career receptions (256) and career receiving yards (3,583) in the process. He earned 10 receiving touchdowns. His longest catch was 65 yards and he averaged 15.3 yards per reception. Nourse finished second in both the conference and the nation in yards per game. He also ranked fifth in the Frontier and 14th nationally in receiving touchdowns. VSN NAIA All-American Second Team - Defensive Line Tyler Walker - Dillon, Mont. / R-SR. Walker was the driving force of the Bulldog defensive efforts in 2025.He set school records in single game sacks (4.5) and single-season tackles-for-loss (21.5) while helping the Bulldogs' defense set the record for single-game sacks as a team (eight). Additionally, Walker led the team in total tackles (70), solo tackles (33), TFLs (21.5), and sacks (8.5). He also forced one fumble and tallied two fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, and one QB hurry. VSN NAIA All-American Honorable Mention - Quarterback Michael Palandri - Maple Valley, Wash. / R-SR Palandri leaves Western as the record holder in single game touchdown passes (eight), single-season and career completion percentage (68.3 and 66.0, respectively), single-season passing yards (3,670), single-season total offensive yards (3,972), and single-season touchdown passes (34) while helping set a single-game passing yards (497) record for the Bulldogs. He earned Frontier Conference West Division Player of the Year and First Team-All Conference selections. He threw over 3,000 yards for the second consecutive season and compiled 42 total touchdowns. VSN NAIA All-American Honorable Mention - Linebacker Jace Fitzgerald - Dillon, Mont. / R-SR Wearing the no. 18 Legacy jersey for UMW, Fitzgerald left his mark in 2025. He earned Frontier Conference First Team All-Conference Honors. He racked up 66 total tackles including 26 solos. He also posted 4.0 tackles-for-loss totaling 28 yards and 1.5 sacks for 22 yards. Fitzgerald earned one interception, forced and recovered a fumble, and had two pass breakups ups. He had six outings with multiple solo tackles and recorded a career-high 16 tackles at College of Idaho (10/18).

The University of Montana Western is pleased to announce that it has appointed Dr. Estee Aiken as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs effective starting December 27, 2025, and would also like to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. Brian Elliott who has served as Interim Provost for the past seven months. “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Elliott for his dedication and steady leadership while serving in this role. His service has been invaluable to our campus community,” said Montana Western Chancellor, Michael Reid.  Dr. Elliott earned his B.S. in Computer Science and English from Muskingum University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Ohio University. His research and teaching interests include early American literature, British and Transatlantic Romanticism, satire, and mythology and folklore, and his current research explores the role of lying and deception in early American novels. At Montana Western, he teaches courses in graphic novels, American literature, fantasy and science fiction, and composition. “Thank you to Chancellor Reid and the entire UMW community for the opportunity to serve our campus over the last several months. I hope that some of what I’ve been able to accomplish as Interim Provost has a lasting impact on the university for our faculty, staff, and students, now and in the future. In choosing to step back into my faculty role at this point, I can continue much of that work while also leaving the Provost position in Dr. Aiken’s excellent care.”“ I am also grateful to Dr. Aiken for her willingness to step into this role. She will serve as Interim Provost until our next permanent Provost is identified,” said Reid.   Dr. Aiken earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Macalester College, in St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary School from Colorado College. She earned her Doctor of Education in Education Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.  Dr. Aiken currently serves as Montana Western’s Dean of Strategic Initiatives overseeing the School of Outreach, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and university accreditation efforts. Before her role as Dean, she served as the Division Chair of Education at Montana Western, where she was a tenured professor.  She has also been actively involved at the state level in roles including Montana Council of Deans of Education, Montana University System Teacher Scholar 2022-23, past President of the Montana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and President of the Montana Association of Gifted and Talented Education. In her current role, Dr. Aiken is involved in many state-wide initiatives to address dual-enrollment efforts, workforce preparation, undergraduate research, policy development, and artificial intelligence. She is a founding and current board member of the Odyssey Early Learning Center. Additionally, Dr. Aiken has a wide variety of experience in grants authorship and project management and has published several peer reviewed publications. “I am very excited for the opportunity to serve as UMW’s Interim Provost. This is an important time for Western, as we finalize our next strategic plan and look to what the future may hold, and I’m honored to help to guide that work,” said Aiken. The University of Montana Western will undertake the permanent Provost search process once its next Chancellor is in place. The national search to identify UMW’s next Chancellor, a key leader in advancing the university’s distinctive educational mission and supporting students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community has officially been launched. To learn more about the search—including the timeline, committee members, and the executive search firm assisting with the effort—please visit: https://www.umwestern.edu/chancellor-search/ .

DILLON, Mont. — High winds ripped across much of the state of Montana on Wednesday, causing damage and hazardous conditions in multiple areas. In Dillon, powerful gusts uprooted trees and toppled power poles, keeping local first responders busy with numerous calls throughout the morning. While crews were responding to incidents in town, Lima Fire and Ambulance were called to the Dell area after a southbound semi on Interstate 15 encountered high winds and overturned onto its side. Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries, was treated at the scene, and was released.

DILLON, Mont. — Beaverhead Search and Rescue held its annual member appreciation dinner on Friday, Dec. 12, recognizing the dedication and service of its volunteers during the past year. The event was hosted at the Beaverhead Golf Course, with food and service coordinated by the golf course team. Along with celebrating the holiday season, the evening provided an opportunity to recognize several members for their outstanding contributions. Josh Yeadon was named Rookie of the Year . In his first year with the organization, Yeadon immersed himself in training, participated in the majority of callouts, and contributed behind the scenes, including helping with the annual Fish Derby fundraiser. The Commander’s Award , given to the members most active in callouts, was presented to Brad Wagner  and Jack Bazemore . Wagner, a longtime member, responded to every callout this year and frequently filled critical roles in incident command and communications support. Bazemore also responded to every callout and was often the first member on scene, consistently ready to assist whenever duty called. The Member of the Year  award was presented to Adam Norlander , recognizing his broad contributions to the organization. Norlander served as training officer, participated in numerous callouts and trainings, assisted with fundraising events such as the Fish Derby, and spearheaded the organization’s first annual youth First Aid and CPR event in September. The organization also recognized Mel Rice , who retired this spring after nearly 40 years of service with Beaverhead Search and Rescue. Rice’s long-standing dedication and contributions to the mission were honored, and members noted he will be greatly missed. In addition, Beaverhead Search and Rescue recognized the spouses and significant others of its members, acknowledging their ongoing support, which plays a vital role in the success of the organization. Commander Kolby Malesich also extended thanks to the Beaverhead County community for its continued support, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside so many dedicated individuals. Beaverhead Search and Rescue wished the community a safe and blessed holiday season. — Submitted by Kolby Malesich, Commander

DILLON, Mont. — Strong wind gusts swept through Dillon Wednesday morning, knocking down trees and power lines across the community. Wind gusts were reported in the high 50-mph range, according to weather apps, prompting multiple calls for service to local first responders. Crews responded to several reports of downed power lines and fallen trees throughout town. A power pole fell in the parking lot of the Big Town Pump, causing power outages in the surrounding area. Trees were also reported down across Pioneer Drive, creating roadway hazards. At the Evergreen Center, a large pine tree fell and scraped the side of the building, narrowly missing it causing slight damage. First responders were also called to Lakner Lane for what was initially reported as a power line down across the roadway; however, it was later determined to be a cable line. In addition, first responders in Lima and Dell are responding to a rolled semi truck. More information on that incident will be released as it becomes available. Residents are urged to use caution, avoid downed lines, and report hazards to authorities.

On December 5, 2025, the English Department at the University of Montana Western inducted four students into its Alpha Epsilon Iota chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society. Founded in 1924, Sigma Tau Delta has grown to include more than 800 chapters worldwide. The society recognizes academic excellence in English language, literature, and writing, and provides members with opportunities for scholarships, internships, conferences, publications, and service projects that promote literacy and engagement with the humanities. Sigma Tau Delta strives to: confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels; provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities; foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing; promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members; exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and serve society by fostering literacy. Candidates for membership in Sigma Tau Delta have attained high academic achievement in English studies. This year’s inductees are: Ian Ferguson — Idaho Falls, ID Adeline Michels — Missoula, MT Cordelia Sinz — Duvall, WA Ella Wanamaker — Walkerville, MT The University of Montana Western congratulates these students on their success and hard work. To learn more about Sigma Tau Delta’s history, awards, and events, visit  www.english.org .

As holiday travel ramps up and winter storms begin sweeping across the West, the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) for Rural Traveler Information  is announcing significant expansion. The web application designed by Montana Tech Professor Dr. Doug Galarus with partners California Department of Transportation  and Western States Rural Transportation Consortium , provides real-time data to help drivers navigate in the following states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas were recently added in preparation for the holiday season. “As holiday travel approaches and weather changes are imminent, I encourage travelers in Montana and across the entire western United States to use the One-Stop-Shop to get seamless updates on current and forecast road-weather conditions,” Galarus said. The One-Stop-Shop was originally developed by Galarus’ former team at the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University and has been funded by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Western States Rural Transportation Consortium. In 2014, the project won an international award from the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. The project is now in a maintenance phase at Montana Tech, and Galarus has incorporated it into his classroom work and undergraduate research assistants assist with the maintenance of OSS. "For over a decade now OSS has been a critical tool providing seamless traveler information to motorists, especially freight operators, traveling throughout the Western US improving the safety and efficiency of our regional transportation networks,” Caltrans Chief of ITS Engineering and Support Jeremiah Pearce said. OSS brings together real-time road, weather, and incident information from transportation departments across the western United States. The system, available at oss.weathershare.org , provides camera feeds, road conditions, alerts, and weather data on a single, user-friendly map. “Overseeing OSS gives me insight into its design, but it’s my firsthand experience as a frequent interstate RV traveler that truly affirms the value of this tool,” Rural ITS and Special Projects Research Branch Chief for Caltrans Andre Chavez said.“I rely on OSS to plan my routes both ahead of time and in real time—maximizing access to DOT rest stops and avoiding non-recurring RV challenges like wildfires, high wind zones, closures, and construction projects. It has consistently proven to be accurate, reliable, and indispensable on every road trip my family and I have taken.” This season, OSS is expanding its reach just in time for the year’s busiest travel period. Through a new partnership with the Northwest Passage Transportation Pooled Fund ( https://nwpassage.info/gallery/ ), OSS now includes data from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, adding critical visibility for travelers navigating I-94 and I-90 through the northern tier. The team recently integrated Iowa and Nebraska, which completed coverage of the entire Interstate 80 corridor from San Francisco through Iowa. “We now cover pretty much all the states in the Western U.S. and then some,” Galarus said. For years, OSS has been a go-to resource for drivers braving winter weather in California’s Donner and Siskiyou Passes. Traffic can surge to 1,000–2,000 simultaneous users during storms and heavy travel periods. During severe weather events, OSS may log up to 30,000 user sessions per day, as travelers seek a reliable source of real-time information. With integrated feeds from Caltrans, Oregon DOT, Nevada DOT, Washington State DOT, and many other transportation partners, as well as the National Weather Service, OSS offers a near-seamless view of cross-state travel conditions — something Galarus says is especially valuable during the holidays, when millions of drivers cross state lines and weather systems. “While Washington State DOT has long been a partner and beneficiary of the OSS, we are excited to see the continued growth of this valuable tool now linking up our partner states that represent the Northwest Passage pooled fund study along the I-90 corridor and beyond,” said Tony Leingang, program administrator of Intelligent Transportation Systems for Washington State DOT. The project has spanned more than 15 years and engaged hundreds of students across multiple universities. At Montana Tech alone, Galarus estimates that roughly a dozen students have worked on OSS and related projects through research positions, with more than 100 contributing through coursework or senior design projects. The work offers undergraduates hands-on experience with software engineering, computer science, data science, and real-world problem solving. “Students get the opportunity to work on something people actually use — often thousands of people a day,” Galarus said. “It’s a level of responsibility and impact that’s hard to replicate in a classroom. One of the most important things I tell my students is to “walk in the shoes” of the users of the software they are developing. I live in Elk Park, which is the coldest place in the Continental US at least once every year. While walking in that kind-of cold is dangerous, driving is a necessity. Interstate 15 borders my property, and my daily commute includes I-15 and I-90. I know first-hand why the One-Stop-Shop is valuable tool for safe driving in winter and year-round!” To view the system, visit oss.weathershare.org .

GREENWOOD, Ind. –  Montana Western Volleyball players Taylor Ketchum and Savana Warburton received College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Volleyball Team Honors, the organization announced Tuesday The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined achievements on the field and in the classroom. Honorees are selected across four divisions: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. To qualify for nomination, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and be a starter or key reserve on their respective team. 2025 CSC Academic All-District Volleyball Team Taylor Ketchum – L/DS (Billings, Mont., SO) Savana Warburton – OH (Joliet, Mont., SO)

125 N. Idaho St. City of Dillon, Montana City Council Chambers Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 6:45 P.M. Public Hearing on the Draft Preliminary Engineering Report of the Dillon Water System 7:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   A.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA   B.        MINUTES 1.         Approve the Minutes of September 24 th , 2025 Special Meeting at 7:30 p.m. 2.         Approve the Minutes of December 3 rd , 2025 Regular Meeting   C.        PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS   1.         Kelly Sullivan – Q&A on HB231 & SB52    D.        MAYOR’S REPORT 1.         Approve Guza and Associates Contract Extension for Civil Prosecution 2.         Approve Kruer Law Contract for Criminal Prosecution 3.         Approve Job Recruiter for the City Attorney Position    4.         Discuss Financial Reporting Report   E.        REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY 1.         City Attorney – Ed Guza 2.         Planning Board - Bill Shafer, Raymond Graham                         a.         Accept the Minutes of December 4, 2025 Regular Meeting                                     i.          Resolution #1504 Adopting Downtown Master Plan 3.         Zoning Commission - Russ Schwandt, Anneliese Ripley 4.         Board of Adjustments - Diane Armstrong, Joleen Schultz 5.         Director of Operations – Kristina Abbey 6.         Police Department –Police Chief Joel Stewart                         a.         Accept the November 2025 Incident Report 7.         Fire Department -- Fire Chief BJ Klose a.         Accept November 2025 Activity Report                   b.         Approve City Clerk Report for Fire Hall for November 2025                         c.         Approve Budget vs. Expenditures Report for Fire Hall for November 2025 8.         City Court – Judge Bill Knox                         a.         Accept Court Report for November 2025 9.         Library Board - Diane Armstrong, Council Member; Kim Denny, Library Director 10.       Tree Board                         a.         Accept the Minutes of November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting.             F.        REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL 1.         Ordinances & Facilities – Bill Shafer, Chair; Joleen Schultz, Mary Jo O’Rourke 2.         Finance Committee – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Diane Armstrong, Mary Jo O’Rourke 3.         Public Services – Diane Armstrong, Chair; Bill Shafer, Don Deem 4.         Open Spaces – Raymond Graham, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Joleen Schultz 5.         Public Works – Russ Schwandt, Chair; Anneliese Ripley, Raymond Graham   G.        PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC INTEREST NOT ON THE  AGENDA AND WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY   H.        ADJOURNMENT   PLEASE NOTE: The City of Dillon understands that citizens have the right under the Montana Constitution to observe and participate in local governmental affairs by personally attending all public meetings of the Dillon City Council and other City boards and committees. This meeting is open to the public as normal. Join the meeting with Zoom ID: 770-316-6528, allowing permission for microphone and camera (if using a computer go to https://zoom.us/j/7703166528 ) and use Passcode 4245. Please mute your microphone until you desire to comment. Any problems or questions, call City Hall at 683-4245.

DILLON, Mont. — The No. 23 Montana Western men’s basketball team continued its strong Frontier Conference play Sunday evening, never trailing in a 91–69 victory over Mayville State inside Straugh Gymnasium. The Bulldogs (9–3, 5–2 FC) were tied just twice in the opening three minutes before seizing control for good. Western led by as many as 26 points and cruised to its third win in the last four games. Montana Western shot an efficient 46.6 percent (34-of-73) from the floor and connected on a season-best 14 three-pointers, finishing 48.3 percent (14-of-29) from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs also went 9-of-10 (90.0 percent) at the free-throw line. Kyle Gruhler led all scorers with 31 points, shooting 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from the field and knocking down nine three-pointers. Emanuel Steward added 11 points and dished out a game-high six assists. Joshua Whiteside controlled the glass with 10 rebounds, while David Young anchored the defense with four blocks. Gruhler, Billy Carlson, and Kolter Merritt each recorded two steals. Western finished with 40 rebounds, 17 assists, 12 blocks, and seven steals, marking a season high in blocks and the third time in four games the Bulldogs have reached the 40-rebound mark. The Red and Black also posted 32 points in the paint, 18 points off turnovers, 19 second-chance points, and 31 bench points. The Bulldogs took a 9–7 lead early in the first half and steadily pulled away, stretching the advantage to 17 points by halftime. Western entered the locker room leading 45–28 after shooting 44.7 percent from the field and an impressive 56.3 percent from three-point range in the opening half. Montana Western maintained the pressure in the second half, building the lead to as many as 26. Mayville State never closed the gap to fewer than 20 points over the final 20 minutes. For the Comets (5–6, 1–5 FC), Christian Bowen-Webb scored a team-high 19 points. Ollie Fell grabbed eight rebounds, Devin Griffin dished out five assists, and Amon Moore and Darius Brant each recorded two steals. Looking Ahead Montana Western travels to Pocatello, Idaho, on Thursday for an exhibition matchup against NCAA Division I Idaho State.