BILLINGS, Mont. –  Scoring just three points in the first period, the No. 17 ranked Battlin' Bears were unable to overcome their slow start in a 61-51 loss to the No. 3 ranked Montana Western Bulldogs.

Trailing from tip to buzzer, Rocky (15-6, 6-3 FC) shot just 1-16 from the floor in the first quarter play. A 14-2 run late in the fourth quarter put Rocky within eight points of the Bulldogs (17-1, 8-1 FC), but the lead proved insurmountable.

Justyn Juhl and Kloie Thatcher each scored 13 points . Markaela Francis provided an additional 11.

Both teams were nearly even in terms of boards with the Bulldogs holding just a 34-33 advantage. Juhl led the Battlin' Bears with eight rebounds.

At the half, the Battlin' Bears had shot just a 17.2 field goal percentage, but improved to a 33.9 percent by the end of the game. Rocky was good for 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. The visitors shot a 47.7 percent from the floor and drained 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs were led by Briana King's 25 points while Britt Cooper posted 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Rocky will next play Lewis-Clark State. The game will tip off at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Fortin Education Center.