Senior guard Sonya Rogers made six three-point shots – four of them during a critical second-half stretch – and propelled the Montana Lady Griz to a 70-60 win over the Portland State Vikings before a racous crowd of 6734 fans in Dahlberg Arena Saturday.
With the win Montana clinched its second straight Big Sky Conference Crown, and the host role in the post-season tourney which will be held March 12-16.
Rogers, who led both teams with 22 points, was joined in double figures by
senior point guard Mandy Morales and sophomore forward Sarah Ena, who each scored 16.
PHOTO RIGHT: Sonya Rogers drives against PSU guard Claire Faucher in first-half action Saturday. Rogers made 6-for-8 three pointers and scored 22 points to lead the Lady Griz to their second-straight Big Sky Conference regular season title Saturday.
Junior point guard Claire Faucher paced the Vikings with 20 points while senior forward Kelsey Kahle scored 11.
PHOTO RIGHT: Montana senior point guard Mandy Morales drives against Portland State's Kelly Marchant to score two of her 16 points against the Vikings. Morales had five
assists and pulled down 10 rebounds while directing Montana's floor play.
In a game played on even terms – both on the floor and statistically – it was Rogers and Morales who spelled the difference with timely three-point conversions over a Vikings zone defense set up to stop Montana’s dominant inside game.
PHOTO RIGHT: Sophomore forward Sarah Ena battles Kelly Valentine for possession of a loose ball during first half action Saturday. Ena won this battle and scored two of her 16 points on the play. Ena dominated the paint on defense and rebounding, grabbing 11 boards for a double-double.
NOTE: Since Grizzly Journal is providing coverage of Saturday’s double header, additional and extended coverage of both games will be provided Sunday.
