The University of Montana-Western Bulldogs came into the game averaging nearly 83 points per contest and with a reputation of shooting as soon as they get off the bus, but a stingy Westminster College defense held the Bulldogs to 61 points and frustrated the UM-W's shooters the entire evening in the 80-61 Griffin victory.
The win gives coach Tommy Connor his fourth 20-win season in his seven at Westminster. Connor, who is 145-73 (.665) overall as the Griffin's coach, is well on his way to his sixth NAIA National Tournament in as many years.
The Griffins, 20-6 overall, 10-3 in Frontier Conference play, controlled the game from the beginning, taking a 41-31 lead into intermission. Jared Ruiz, who had 16 points overall, scored 14 of them in the first half on 6-8 shooting.