The season came to a tough end Thursday night as the Butte High Bulldogs fell to Missoula Big Sky 53–38 in a Western AA play-in game.
Butte came out ready to fight, matching Big Sky early as the teams were tied 10–10 after the opening quarter. The Bulldogs stayed right there through the second frame and trailed just 23–22 at halftime.
Then the game turned.
Missoula Big Sky ripped off a devastating 18–0 run, turning a tight battle into a double-digit hole the Bulldogs couldn’t climb out of. Missed free throws and turnovers fueled the Eagles’ surge and allowed them to take control of the game.
Big Sky finished strong, outscoring Butte 30–16 in the second half to seal the win.
Hudson Luedtke led the Bulldogs with 18 points, including two three-pointers. Brady Hanson added 8 points, while Rhett Arntson chipped in 7. Josh Liston and Cayde Stajcar each finished with 2 points.
Jack McGowan paced Big Sky with 16 points, while Bryson Schultz added 11 and Josiah Boone finished with 6.
The loss brings the Bulldogs’ season to a close at 15–5.
Box Score
Missoula Big Sky (9–11)
Mason Ramos 0, Eli Kasberg 3, Cole Silberstein 3, Josiah Boone 6, Jack McGowan 16, Cormack Batt 6, Brady Williams 2, Blake Williams 4, Bryson Schultz 11.
Totals — 20 field goals, 10-16 free throws, 53 points
Butte High (15–5)
Cayde Stajcar 2, Hudson Luedtke 18, Mitch Verlanic 0, Josh Liston 2, Brady Hanson 8, Rhett Arntson 7, Kendel Noctor 0, Raeder Grey 0, Ryan Hanson 0, James Pearston 0, Jaxon Williamson 0, Kaleb Celli 0.
Totals — 14 field goals, 7-14 free throws, 38 points
Score by quarter
Big Sky — 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 — 53
Butte — 10 | 12 | 10 | 6 — 38
3-pointers: Big Sky 3 (McGowan, Silberstein, Schultz). Butte 3 (Luedtke 2, Arntson).
Fouls: Big Sky 13, Butte 15.
Technical: Blake Williams.
