Montana Western Men's Basketball Heads to Butte for Best Western Tipoff Classic

Bulldogs Travel to Butte for the Best Western Tipoff Classic

The Montana Western men’s basketball program hits the road this weekend, traveling to Butte, Montana, to compete in the Best Western Tipoff Classic hosted by Montana Tech. Coming off a 1-1 start to their season, the Bulldogs face an immediate test against receiving-votes LC State on Friday at 5 p.m. Mountain Time, followed by a matchup against Westcliff on Saturday at 5 p.m. Mountain Time, according to game notes published by umwbulldogs.com.

Headlining the early-season numbers for Montana Western is Naeem Colston, who averaged a double-double last week with 10.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Colston also tallied three assists, three blocks, and three steals across the opening stretch. Meanwhile, teammate Matthew Kinzeler delivered a standout performance in the season-opening 77-55 victory over Park Gilbert, dropping 16 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and connecting on four of seven attempts from beyond the arc.

Bulldogs Rely on Strong Ball Security Against LC State

The Bulldogs enter the weekend averaging 58.0 points, 42.5 rebounds, and 15.0 assists per game, alongside 7.5 steals and 4.5 blocks. Shooting efficiency remains an area for adjustment, with the team hitting 32.8 percent from the floor, 37.0 percent from downtown, and 59.1 percent from the charity stripe. However, ball security has been a clear strength. Nationally, Montana Western ranks 16th in fewest turnovers per game, coughing up just 10.2 per contest.

That discipline will be tested immediately by a high-powered LC State squad. Through three games, the Warriors (2-1) are averaging 86.0 points per contest while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. As BVMSports.com notes, LC State arrives in Butte as a receiving-votes program that ranks third nationally in fewest turnovers per game at 9.3, alongside ranking seventh in points allowed per game at 67.6. Dylan Skaife paces the Warriors with 14.3 points per game, shooting team highs of 64.0 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from three-point range.

Closing Out the Opening Tournament Weekend

Following Friday’s clash with LC State—marking an all-time meeting in a series where the Bulldogs hold an 18-35 record—Montana Western turns its attention to Westcliff on Saturday. Westcliff opened its season with a 44-point outing against MSU-Northern, shooting 27.4 percent from the field and 10.0 percent from distance. LJ Brown led Westcliff with 10 points in that loss. Saturday’s game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Western will pack its bags for another road trip later in the month, heading to Lewiston, Idaho, for the LC State Classic. There, the team is scheduled to face Eastern Oregon on November 19 before squaring off with LC State once again on November 20.