BILLINGS – Jesse Owens scored the first 13 points for Billings West Friday night, and the Bears took advantage of a fourth-quarter rally to upend CMR, 76-69.
Led by Owens, West led 15-7 after the opening quarter. But the Rustlers, who entered ranked No. 2 in Montana’s Eastern AA standings, answered with 25 points in the second quarter and hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to force a 32-32 tie at halftime.
CMR opened hot in the third quarter and tallied 23 more for a 55-48 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Rustlers built their lead to 58-50 and seemed in control with about 5:30 left. But West closed the game in a full-court press that troubled the Rustlers, who were outscored 26-11 down the stretch.
The win pulls West into a tie for second with CMR in the Eastern AA.
The Bears (7-5, 4-2) hosts Eastern AA leader Great Falls High (11-1, 6-0) Saturday afternoon. The Bison beat Billings Skyview Friday, 58-51.
CMR (9-3, 4-2) travels to Skyview (7-5, 3-3) Saturday afternoon.
