BILLINGS, Mont.- The No.19-ranked men will wrap up their road trip in Helena on Thursday before returning home to host Montana Western on Saturday afternoon.  

Game Information

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Thursday, January 16th
#19 Rocky Mountain College (14-2) vs Carroll College (5-11)
Helena, Montana | 7:00 pm (MT)

Saturday, January 18th
#19 Rocky Mountain College (14-2) vs Montana Western (10-6)
Fortin Education Center | 4:00 pm (MT)

Last Time Out

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The Battlin' Bears extended their winning streak to eight games following a pair of road victories last weekend over the University of Providence and MSU-Northern. 

In Thursday's victory over the Argos, the Battlin' Bears struggled from the floor in the opening half, missing their first 14 three-point shots and trailed by 16 points at halftime. With their deficit growing to 18 early in the second half, the Rocky men exploded for a 20-0 run over a five-minute stretch that not only erased their deficit but gave the Battlin' Bears the lead. Clutch free throws in the final minutes helped hold off an Argos run to lead Rocky to the victory on the road. Jesse Owens tallied 18 points, while Omari Nesbit added 16. 

The Battlin' Bears utilized a group effort offensively in Saturday's win over the Lights, with five players scoring in double figures and boasting a nearly 50% field goal percentage in the contest. Free throw shooting was excellent in the win, finishing 17-of-18 on the night, their highest percentage (94.4%) of the season and the best in a game in which they shot more than four free throws since January 2018.

Game Notes

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Keep it Rolling
The Battlin' Bears will play on the road versus Carroll College before returning home to host Montana Western on Saturday. The Battlin' Bears are unbeaten away from home this season, totaling a 9-0 record in away and neutral site games, and are winners of their last eight straight games. 

Nation on Watch
The Battlin' Bears rolled in recognition this past week, with Jaylon Lee and Jesse Owens earning Frontier Conference Player of the Week honors. Lee was also recognized on the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 watch list, an award given to the Small College Men's Basketball Player with the top overall season. Lastly, in the first NAIA Coaches Poll of 2025, the Battlin' Bears climbed up to #19, their first time inside the top 25 this season. 

Win on Defense
Within Rocky's eight-game win streak, they have only allowed more than 75 points in a game once, an overtime victory against OUAZ on December 14th and the first game of this winning streak. Rebounding has also been a key for the Battlin' Bears' success, as they have not been outrebounded in a game yet this season, winning the rebounding margin by an average mark of 10.8 per game. 

Scouting the Fighting Saints
Carroll College will be hungry for their first conference victory on Thursday after an 0-3 start. Under first-year head coach Dan Pearson, the Saints have relied on new faces for output this season, led by redshirt freshman Isaiah Crane, who averages 16.8 points per game and has scored double-figures in all but one game so far this season. Carroll's defense has been a strong suit, forcing 13.0 turnovers per game. 

Scouting the Bulldogs
Montana Western has begun their season with a 10-6 overall record and a 2-1 start to conference play. Transfer guard Kyle Gruhler opened eyes this past week with a 32-point performance against Carroll College, his fourth game this season with 20 or more points. Senior guard Jalyn Stepney has also been a force on the offensive end, scoring 20 or more points in five of his past seven games, leading the Bulldogs in scoring averaging 17.8 points per game.