BILLINGS, Mont. – The Carroll Football team lost a nail-biter at Rocky Mountain College on Saturday afternoon in Billings. The Bears defeated the Saints 39-34 in thrilling fashion.
 
It was the Saints who got the scoring started in the first quarter on a 35-yard field goal from Stephen Powell.
 
They added on another touchdown courtesy of Baxter Tuggle from four yards out and with 6:02 left in the first half, Carroll led 10-0.
 
Rocky responded with a touchdown and a field goal of their own late in the second quarter. Nathan Dick connected with Lucas Overton from 15 yards out for a touchdown, then Riley Garrett added a field goal.
 
Going into half time, Carroll was ahead 10-9. The tempo of the game really picked up in the second half.
 
The Bears opened up the second half with a 65-yard drive that resulted in Overton's second touchdown of the game, this time from 13 yards away.
 
After going three-and-out on their ensuing possession, Carroll had to punt the ball back with a six-point deficit and look to their defense to make a play. They got exactly that in the form of a Zach Spiroff 40-yard pick six to go up 17-16.
 
With just under three minutes left in the third, Jack Prka tossed a touchdown to Logan Gilliard from seven yards out to extend the lead to 24-16.
 
The Battlin' Bears responded once again with a touchdown. Daniel McGrew scored from seven yards out this time and the Bears added a two-point conversion to tie it up at 24 a piece.
 
Stephen Powell connected on his second field goal of the game to give Carroll the lead back 27-24 with 9:26 left in the ball game.
 
With 7:28 on the clock, Nathan Dick threw his third touchdown of the day to Lucas Overton and Rocky took the lead right back, 31-27.
 
Jack Prka and the Carroll offense fought back to get the lead once more. Prka found Camron Rothie on a deep ball for a 46-yard gain that set up first and goal from the one-yard line. The next play, Duncan Kraft punched it in and Carroll led 34-31 with 4:45 remaining.
 
Following a defensive stop, the Saints had a chance to put the game away, but ended up having to punt the ball back to the Bears. Nathan Dick stepped up once again and led what would end up being a 55-yard game winning drive. Carter Garsjo caught a 13-yard touchdown with 24 seconds on the clock.
 
A late safety by the Bears created a final score of 39-34.
 
The 3-4 Saints will now turn their sites to next week and another road game at Eastern Oregon.