Freshman point guard Will Cherry stole an inbounds pass after the Griz' first bucket of the second half, converted the layup and catapulted the Montana Grizzlies to a 38-31 lead over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in an eventually comfortable 71-54 Big Sky Conference victory at Missoula’s Dahlberg Arena before 3479 fans.
Cherry, in his third start for Montana, scored 10 points, dished five assists, and stole another inbounds pass for a layup in Montana’s conference opener over the Jacks.
Combined with the now-expected stellar play of senior guard Anthony Johnson -- who scored 22 points, dished two assists, and had three steals -- the guard duo made certain the Lumberjacks would not battle back after a first half of gridlock from which the Grizzlies could not build a separation of more than five points over the Jacks.
But Cherry’s play was the catalyst for Montana’s second half.
“We got after our guys pretty good at halftime about our lack of focus and intensity on both ends, quite honestly,” said Montana coach Wayne Tinkle. “That (Cherry’s steal and conversion) I think kind of set the tone.”
“You know, Will Cherry’s so capable of getting out there and making some plays,” Tinkle added. “He’s explosive, and I think you saw not only the guys on the floor, but the guys that came in off the bench... Ok, that’s what we’re talking about and we played with much more intensity and focus,” said Tinkle.
Johnson agreed with his coach. “Those are those small things, right there. Paying attention to the details, that coach has been kind of hounding us on,” said Johnson. “You love it as a player when it all works out... proud of Will making that play right there.”
Montana’s lockdown defense held the Jacks leading scorers Cameron Jones (12) and DeAngelo Jones (1) well below their combined average, but NAU center Shane Johannsen scored 16 in the low blocks for the Lumberjacks.
On the other end, Montana’s combo of inside-outside passing game and a weave-and-penetrate offense resulted in a 60 percent conversion rate from the field and 55.6 percent for the game.
Just as importantly, nine of Montana’s 12 suited players logged double-digit minutes on court, with reserve forward Mathias Ward scoring six points in nine minutes of action. Nine Grizzlies scored, with forwards Raason Young (7pts.), Derek Selvig (6pts) and Vanny Bassy (5pts) logging quality minutes on court to spell starters Jack McGillis and Brian Qvale (4pts.) who got into foul trouble early in the game.
Banny cleared a critical rebound late in the second half, was fouled when he scored the put-back, and then made the free throw to trigger Montana’s final run into a double digit lead.
Starting shooting guard Ryan Staudacher was held i n check by the Lumberjacks, but reserve off-guard Michael Taylor shot 3-for-6 with two treys in an otherwise subpar 4-for-12 team mark from outside the arc.
After Cherry’s second-half shot of adrenaline, the Grizzlies steadily expanded the lead, first to between 8 and 12 points, at the game’s eight-minute mark, and then to the final 17 point margin over the final four minutes of play.
Lumberjack guards were steadily harrassed by Montana defenders, turning the ball over 17 times to only 10 assists. The Grizzlies had one of ther best ball-control games of the season, notching 14 assists to only 11 turnovers while nabbing eight outright steals.
“Pretty good second half,” said Johnson. But the senior was unhappy with his team’s first half effort.
“We really didn’t execute all too well,” said Johnson. “Lot of mental breakdowns. Defensively, too. We just weren’t aggressive,” said Johnson.
Johnson credited the play of the entire Montana bench, whose play allowed Griz starters, including Johnson, to get critical breathers midway through each half.
Montana hosts the Northern Colorado Bears Friday. The Bears, 7-1, lost their first game of the season in a conference-opening 87-63 thumping at the hands of the Montana State Bobcats.
Combined with the now-expected stellar play of senior guard Anthony Johnson -- who scored 22 points, dished two assists, and had three steals -- the guard duo made certain the Lumberjacks would not battle back after a first half of gridlock from which the Grizzlies could not build a separation of more than five points over the Jacks.
But Cherry’s play was the catalyst for Montana’s second half.
“We got after our guys pretty good at halftime about our lack of focus and intensity on both ends, quite honestly,” said Montana coach Wayne Tinkle. “That (Cherry’s steal and conversion) I think kind of set the tone.”
Johnson agreed with his coach. “Those are those small things, right there. Paying attention to the details, that coach has been kind of hounding us on,” said Johnson. “You love it as a player when it all works out... proud of Will making that play right there.”
Montana’s lockdown defense held the Jacks leading scorers Cameron Jones (12) and DeAngelo Jones (1) well below their combined average, but NAU center Shane Johannsen scored 16 in the low blocks for the Lumberjacks.
The Grizzlies used an aggressive man-on defense through much of the second half and held NAU to 38.1 percent and 45 percent for the game.
PHOTOS: Griz frosh guard Will Cherry (top) scores a layup over NAU post Shane Johannsen after his steal to open the second half of play. (Middle) Montana forward Vanny Bassy posts up against NAU's Wallace Reid in second half play. Banny grabbed seven rebounds and scored five points. (Bottom) Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson absorbs a called flagrant foul from NAU guard Cameron Jones in the game's final minutes. Johnson made both freethrows and led both teams with 22 points.
On the other end, Montana’s combo of inside-outside passing game and a weave-and-penetrate offense resulted in a 60 percent conversion rate from the field and 55.6 percent for the game.
Just as importantly, nine of Montana’s 12 suited players logged double-digit minutes on court, with reserve forward Mathias Ward scoring six points in nine minutes of action. Nine Grizzlies scored, with forwards Raason Young (7pts.), Derek Selvig (6pts) and Vanny Bassy (5pts) logging quality minutes on court to spell starters Jack McGillis and Brian Qvale (4pts.) who got into foul trouble early in the game.
Banny cleared a critical rebound late in the second half, was fouled when he scored the put-back, and then made the free throw to trigger Montana’s final run into a double digit lead.
Starting shooting guard Ryan Staudacher was held i n check by the Lumberjacks, but reserve off-guard Michael Taylor shot 3-for-6 with two treys in an otherwise subpar 4-for-12 team mark from outside the arc.
After Cherry’s second-half shot of adrenaline, the Grizzlies steadily expanded the lead, first to between 8 and 12 points, at the game’s eight-minute mark, and then to the final 17 point margin over the final four minutes of play.
Lumberjack guards were steadily harrassed by Montana defenders, turning the ball over 17 times to only 10 assists. The Grizzlies had one of ther best ball-control games of the season, notching 14 assists to only 11 turnovers while nabbing eight outright steals.
“Pretty good second half,” said Johnson. But the senior was unhappy with his team’s first half effort.
“We really didn’t execute all too well,” said Johnson. “Lot of mental breakdowns. Defensively, too. We just weren’t aggressive,” said Johnson.
Johnson credited the play of the entire Montana bench, whose play allowed Griz starters, including Johnson, to get critical breathers midway through each half.
Montana hosts the Northern Colorado Bears Friday. The Bears, 7-1, lost their first game of the season in a conference-opening 87-63 thumping at the hands of the Montana State Bobcats.
