DILLON — The University of Montana Western men’s basketball team opened their season on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13 in the Straugh Gymnasium facing the University of Lethbridge. The Bulldogs were able to get back-to-back wins over Lethbridge, 73-62 on Friday and 81-67 on Saturday.

On Friday, the Bulldogs were led by Jake Owsley and Maazin Butler with 22 and 17 points, respectively. Owlsey also pulled down nine rebounds and Kris Castro had eight. Castro and Kris Collins each dished four assists. Rounding out the starters, Tyler Miller had 11 points and six rebounds.

Maazin Butler and Kris Collins had 16 points apiece in Saturday’s win. Tyler Miller and Jake Owsley added 15 and 10 points, respectively. Owsley pulled down six rebounds while Miller and Collins had five apiece. Butler added six assists and Gabe Rucker came up with three steals.

The Frontier Conference preseason poll, voted by the coaches and released on Oct. 8, has Montana Western finishing third behind MSU-Northern and Westminster.

The Bulldogs return to action on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 when they host the Craig Finberg Memorial Tournament. Montana Western will play at 7 p.m. on Friday against the College of Idaho and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday against Walla Walla University.

— UM Western Sports Information