Sentinel Spartans (Missoula, MT) backers were pleased Thursday as they saw their basketball squad hold off the visiting Russell Rustlers (Great Falls, MT), 51-44 in a non-league bout.

With the victory, Sentinel upgrades its record to 2-1 on the campaign. The Spartans travel to Belgrade (Belgrade, MT) to play the Panthers in a AA Eastern bout on Thursday, December 21. The Panthers come into the bout with a record of 0-2.

Next up, the Rustlers play the Big Sky Eagles (Missoula, MT) in a non-league bout, on Tuesday, December 19. Russell will attempt to upgrade on its 1-2 season record. The Eagles come into the bout with a 2-1 record after their 65-25 non-league win over Great Falls (Great Falls, MT).