Lindsey Branch, UMW Sports Information Photo Credit Terri Haverfield
HAVRE, Mont. – The Montana Western men's basketball team (10-10, 3-4) got back on track today with a conference road win at MSU-Northern (9-11, 1-6). The Bulldogs won by a final score of 66-58 after a strong second half propelled Western to the win.
Abi Adedo led the Bulldogs in the win, totaling 23 points and hitting a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line.
How It Happened
Adedo and Jalyn Stepney led the Bulldogs with double-digits in scoring through the first half power struggle with the Lights. Adedo's 13 points led all scorers in the half as Western went 11-22 from the field and a near perfect 8-9 from the free throw line.
Trailing seven with 11:02 on the clock, the Bulldogs surged back to tie the game at 19 all on a 7-0 run that saw Adedo capitalize on an and one opportunity off a foul from the Lights.
Down 32-27 with a minute and a half to play until the half, Michael Haverfield and Stepney each utilized trips to the free throw line to bring the score back within one. Stepney slammed it down with 29 seconds left and sent the Bulldogs into the half up 33-32.
Lights' guard Dae'Kwon Watson led the second half push for the Lights as they went 9-0 from the break.
Jacksen Burckley's layup broke the run and set Western off on an impressive second half surge. Behind Adedo and Christian Pitcher's eight points, UMW would outscore the Lights 27-10 across the next 13 minutes and drain three of four shots from the arc.
Up 60-53, Watson made a mid-range jumper that was paired with a triple to cut the lead back to four. Despite the scare, the Bulldogs would finish the come from behind win by a final score of 66-58.
Notables
Today's win was the second win this season over MSU-Northern, with their last win coming off of an overtime battle in Dillon back on Jan. 6.
Western's 42 rebounds in tonight's game were a team high this season, a feat that tops their previous season high of 40 against Walla Walla back in November.
Stepney neared a double-double, coming up with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Kevin Bethel totaled for assists and six rebounds.
Up Next
Montana Western moves to 3-4 in conference play and will be returning to the Straugh Gymnasium this Thursday for a game against the University of Providence. Tip-off is at 7:30pm MT.
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