BUTTE — Jesse Owens scored 19 points and Cade Tyson 14 as Billings West’s leading scorers this season led the Golden Bears to a 56-50 victory over Helena Capital in the first game Thursday of the state Class AA high school boys’ basketball tournament at the Butte Civic Center.

The Bears shot 52 percent for the game, including a hot 10-for-16 mark from 3-point range.

Billings West 36-27 at halftime. The Bears will play a 3:30 p.m. Friday semifinal-round game against Bozeman.

Capital, headed for a 9 a.m. loser-out contest Friday versus crosstown rival Helena High, was led by Bridger Grovom with 14 points.

Billings West is now 15-8 for the season and Capital is 12-10.

— Bruce Sayler, buttesports.com