DILLON, Mont. -- The Bulldogs form the University of Montana Western surged out to an early lead on their way to defeating The Evergreen State College 99-51 in the men's basketball season opener for both teams. Evergreen was led by Nick Gutierrez (Sr., G) with 10 points. Jalyn Stepney topped the Bulldogs with 22 points.

Evergreen and Montana Western are competing in the Western Classic, hosted by the Bulldogs. In the other first round game, Montana Tech, ranked #9 in the NAIA Preseason Poll, downed Walla Walla University, 96-59. Evergreen will take on Montana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. MDT / 4 p.m. PDT. 

Gutierrez was 4 of 6 on field goals and hit one three-pointer. Jourdan Joseph (Sr., G) added nine points for the Geoducks. Garret Long (Jr., G/W) and Zach Jefferson (Jr., G) each scored six points. The Geoducks shot 32.7% from the field (18 of 55) and converted 13 of 14 free throws (92.9%).

Stepney connected on 8 of 9 field goals, including 4 of 5 three-point shots for the Bulldogs. In addition to scoring 22 points, he grabbed seven rebounds and earned three steals. Kyle Gruhler tacked on 15 points and Casel Murgel finished with 10 points. Gruhler also matched Stepney with seven boards. Kevin Bethel and Alan Kane each contributed three steals.

Montana Western shot 56.1% from the field (36 of 66). The Bulldogs made 12 of 24 three-pointers (50.0%), while Evergreen hit 2 of 17 long-range shots (11.8%). Montana Western was 13 for 20 on free throws (65.0%).

The Bulldogs shot out to a 12-2 lead and held a 24-4 advantage with 13:21 left in the first half. Joseph broke up th extended scoring run when he sank a 3-point shot for the Geoducks at the 13:08 mark. Evergreen trailed 29-7 before a 6-1 run ended with a jumper by Gutierrez to reduce the margin to 30-13.  Montana Western increased the lead to 49-17 at halftime.

In the second half, Montana Western continued to hold a large lead. For the Geoducks, Gutierrez scored eight of his 10 points in the final 20 minutes. Murgel registered 10 points in the second half for the Bulldogs.