Tom Stage’s radio play-by-play gave a pretty good mind’s eye view of the battle. A bloody nose to Sonya Rogers. Mandy Morales constantly getting slowed down by grab & jabs. Sarah Ena and Britney Lohman doing battle on the boards and in the paint. And Jessa Linford taking the brunt of a charging foul at a critical juncture of the game.
Montana coach Robin Selvig’s post-game comments with Stage were clearer still. The Lady Griz took a body blow late in the first half, and slid even more in early second-half play to a 13-point deficit against the Denver Pioneers.
But Selvig spoke with clear admiration of the ability of his team to shrug off the physical play and numerous “no-calls” to rebound for a 68-63 win over the Pioneers.
It wasn’t until 48 seconds remained – when Ena rebounded a miss by Lauren Beck, scored the put-back and sank a free throw – that the Lady Griz finally took a 63-60 lead, their first since midway through the first half.
Though Montana lost two games on a neutral court at the tough Caribbean Challenge tourney in Cancun, Mexico, this win means the Lady Griz have gone undefeated on the road in preseason play.
Friday’s 4 p.m. confrontation with an excellent Gonzaga team may go a long way to give the Lady Griz mid-major (or even top 25) ranking. That game promises to be a battle as well.
Selvig didn’t outright say so, but this Montana Lady Griz squad has the opportunity to be one of the best in Montana Lady Griz history. That is truly saying a lot.
PHOTOS: Britney Lohman (top) pulls down a rebound against Boise State earlier in the season. Lohman tied Lauren Beck with eight rebounds to lead the Lady Griz, who out-rebounded Denver44-31. Sonya Rogers (#10) drives to the bucket against Colorado State. Rogers led both squads wisth 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting, 3-for-5 from three point range.
