The Montana Grizzlies, -- boosted by Andrew Strait’s 20 points on 8-for-8 shooting and double figures scoring from four other players -- capitalized on two offensive surges, one in each half, and defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles 80-61 at Dahlberg Arena Thursday.
The victory, Montana’s first home win in conference play and only the third since Nov. 29, upped the Grizzlies’ record to 8-11, 2-4 in conference play heading into a road contest at Northern Colorado Saturday.
“To get a win and get a win like this definitely does a lot for our confidence,” said Montana shooting guard Ryan Staudacher.
”Now we know how to play from the tip to finish and so now we’ve got to take this to the road and
get a couple on the road.”
Triggered by a three-point shot by Jordan Hasquet barely 40 seconds into the game, Montana surged to a 15-2 lead in the game’s first six minutes and was never threatened from there.
The Eagles, behind several slashing drives from point guard Adris DeLeon, stayed within 10 points throughout the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half.
PHOTOS: Andrew Strait battles Eagles Gary Gibson and Kellen Wilson for possession of the ball. Strait scored 20 points against the Eagles. (Below) Griz point guard Ceylon Elgin-Taylor drives the lane against Gibson. ET had four assists and four points.
But a second run midway through the second half – when six Griz assists led to six baskets and two free throws in four minutes – Montana outscored the Eagles 14-2, and claimed a 70-50 lead with 7:41 remaining.
The back-breaking run, engineered by assists from every player on the floor, showcased perhaps the most efficient offensive play of the year by the Grizzlies, who ended the night with 27 field goals on 23 assists against 15 turnovers. Five Grizzly players had at least three assists, led by five each from Staudacher and Cameron Rundles, and four from Ceylon Elgin-Taylor.
“We knew we had to get the ball inside to the three bigs,” said Elgin-Taylor. “When we were able to get the ball inside they made those easy baskets.”
Straight agreed.
“I think a lot of the shots I had were uncontested,” the Montana post said about his perfect shooting night.
“The guards did a great job of finding me when I was open and put the ball right were I needed it. You know it’s easy when they do that.
“That’s what we’re capable of, and that’s what coach (Wayne Tinkle) stresses so much when we get out of our offense, because he knows how effective it is when we do run it.”
Montana’s defensive intensity was just as effective.
The Eagles got 19 hard-earned points from DeLeon (4-for-13) and wing Kellen Williams (4-10). But the Grizzlies smothered both players with a swarming, switching combination of man and zone defense, and when the Eagle duo got shots, they were either contested our fouled. DeLeon made 9 of 9 freethrows and Williams made 4 of 4.
Montana’s pressure defense paid dividends early. Strait (one block) and freshman post Brian Qvale (2 blocks) were intimidators in the paint and altered numerous Eastern shots. Montana’s defense held the Eagles to 38.3 percent shooting from the field, and Griz rebounders cleared the boards of any misses, claiming a whopping 26-rebound 36-15 margin over the Eagles. Strait grabbed 9 rebounds, Hasquet snared 10, while Qvale and Staudacher each had five.
Qvale, who started alongside Straight on the frontcourt line, scored 12 points and clearly changed the dynamics of the game. With the freshman post playing inside, Hasquet was freed to move to the wing, where he hurt the Eagles with two early treys and did even more damage in the second half by scoring on several drives. Hasquet added seven free throws (7-for-10) as well.
And, with Straight dominating the low blocks, Qvale who was open for several good looks from the free throw or in the high paint, was nearly perfect himself, converting 5-of-6 for the night.
"Our goal from the start was to get the ball into the post and it worked well for us tonight," said Qvale. "They left me open at the top, so if they’re going to leave me that open, then I’m just going to shoot it."
Straight predicted even more from Qvale.
“He’s a great young talent and a good guy and he’s going to going to be a great player here,” said Strait. “It’s kind of nice to have somebody out there in the middle there with me. You know you kind of take it for granted when you’re there by yourself. Brian really poses a threat to the opposing defense and takes pressure off of me.”
PHOTO: Brian Qvale scores two of his 12 points over Eagle post Brandon Moore.
Staudacher, who played gingerly at first because of a sprained ankle, made 14 points on 5-of-8 shots, and guard Matt Martin gave the Griz a charge with 10 points on two treys and 4-of-6 conversions from the free throw line.
Montana shot 61.4 percent from the field, 50 percent from three point range, and an improved 66.7 percent from the free throw line.
GAME NOTES: Eagle coach Kirk Earlywine was ejected from the game with 17 minutes remaining in the second half, after a rapid sequence of events triggered by a player technical. Earlywine had been given a warning for arguing a call in the first half. The second half technical led to Earlywine’s second technical and ejection. Earlywine will be suspended from coaching for one additional game for the infraction.
