MBK Quarterfinals Highlights: Rocky Mountain edges past Montana Western in a cliffhanger

March 2, 2025 GREAT FALLS, Mont. - In an electrifying first-round battle of the 2024-25 Frontier Conference Men's Tournament, the Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears narrowly defeated the Montana Western Bulldogs, securing an 88-86 victory. Held at the Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena at Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls, Montana, the game witnessed Rocky Mountain emerging from a tightly contested match as the victorious fifth seed. The Bears maintained a ten-point lead at halftime, showcasing a strong team performance led by standout Carter McCoy, who produced 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Additional support came from Omari Nesbit with 18 points and three steals, and Jesse Owens, who facilitated the offense with 15 points and seven assists. Although the fourth-seeded Bulldogs staged a valiant comeback in the later stages, the efforts of Jalyn Stepney, who notched 20 points, were not enough to overturn the deficit. Both teams demonstrated depth, with five players from each roster scoring in double figures, contributing to an intensely competitive atmosphere. Montana Western's coach Patrick Jensen and Rocky Mountain's coach Bill Dreikosen both praised their teams for their performance and sportsmanship. With this win, Rocky Mountain advances in the tournament, facing an opponent to be determined on Monday (March 3) at the same venue. The Battlin' Bears hope to carry forward their winning momentum into the upcoming challenges.