grizzlyjournal

Montana's Johnson 'made every shot known to man' – Randy Rahe

There’s an abundance of excellent coverage of Montana’s thrilling 66-65 Big Sky Conference Championship win over the Weber State Wildcats yesterday, including game-story perspectives from local and national perspectives, and several quality photo slide shows.

The star, of course, was Montana’s Anthony Johnson, whose 42 points (34 in the second half) and pull-up jumper with 11 seconds remaining encapsulated the game’s marquee attraction.

We’ve provided links below, but felt that the Ogden Standard-Examiner had the most concise single-sentence summary of the game, in the form of a quote from Weber State coach, Randy Rahe, when he said:

"It was definitely a tale of two halves. We came out and played well in the first half and what we did to them they did to us in the second half. They became the aggressors and we got back on our heels and Johnson made every shot known to man, which he's capable of doing."

Read the full story HERE:

Take some time to check out the quality photo slide show as well.

But the game was much more than that. Important was the fact that the Wildcats held Montana to 28 percent shooting in the first half... and that Montana held the Cats to 27 percent in the second half.

And that Montana’s Derek Selvig is – game-by-game –  flashing the potential of a star in his own right. Or that Montana’s overlooked junior center, Brian Qvale, had 14 rebounds and six blocked shots. Or that Montana’s Will Cherry made the key defensive stop of the game on WSU’s Damian Lilliard with five seconds remaining on the clock.

Additional perspectives of the game written (quite objectively) for partisan Weber readers were published in the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News.

The game coverage story in the Tribune by Steve Luhm has an excellent 8-word lead. But it’s Luhm’s quote by Weber State guard Lilliard describing the final seconds of the game that reveal the most about Montana freshman guard Will Cherry’s impact. You can read that story HERE:

Luhm’s sidebar on Johnson’s perspective of the game is also insightful. You can read that HERE:

Make sure to browse the Tribune’s game photo slide show as well.

Another great lead on the game, this one a 12-word intro by Andrew Aragon of the Deseret News, describes the irony of Johnson’s history-making game.

Aragon has a great quote by Montana’s own super soph, forward Selvig, who had 12 points and made several key plays down the stretch.

"We're so used to jumping on A.J.'s back and letting him carry us, and he did it one more time," said Montana forward Derek Selvig. "I'm glad he did because it was looking abysmal there for a while."

You can read Aragon’s entire story HERE:

The Deseret News' 11-photo slide show is also worth a couple of views.

Lastly, an extended AP story on the game is published on ESPN, a page which includes a photo slide show and an excellent first half-second half video report of the game.

Access to that page is HERE:

In the meantime Montana fans are debating whether or not Johnson’s game was truly the greatest by a Montana Grizzly. Most certainly his game will rank among stellar performances by players like Eric Hays, Michael Ray Richardson, Larry Krystkowiak, Marti Leibenguth, Shannon Cate and Kevin Kearney.

The neat thing about all this conjecture for Montana fans is that AJ, and his Griz teammates, get another chance next week to add to the resume’ of the 2009-10 Big Sky Champion Montana Grizzlies.

AJ: the greatest single game by a Montana basketball player

I have been watching Montana Grizzly basketball games since 1954... (whew!) And...

The 42-point performance by Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson – who single-handedly led the Grizzlies from the edge of the abyss to a 66-65 win over the Weber State Wildcats for the Big Sky Conference title – was the greatest performance by a Montana Grizzly I have ever seen.

It's most possibly the greatest single-game performance I've seen on the college level by anyone.

Montana's championship victory of the 2010 Big Sky Conference over the Wildcats was the mark of a team that's made steady improvement on a game-by-game basis throughout the season.

But it was Johnson's confidence in his teammates, coaches and himself that have stood out over this season.

Having interviewed Johnson after every home game this year, I can attest that he voiced his belief in this team; it was something he repeated after every game... win or lose.

Now the Griz are where AJ said they'd be all season.

I wish the Montana Grizzlies the best as the Big Sky representative in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Griz advance to Big Sky Tourney Finals with 68-63 win over Bears

Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson scored 19 points, had three assists and three rebounds, and made two clutch free throws with 11.9 seconds remaining to secure Montana's 68-63 win over the Northern Colorado Bears in the semifinal round of the 2010 Big Sky Conference post-season tournament, held in Ogden, Utah.

Freshman point guard Will Cherry nailed a floating jumper in the middle of the key with 24 seconds remaining to push the Griz to a 66-63 lead. Cherry dished four assists, grabbed tworebounds, and had two steals in the game.

Senior shooting guard Ryan Staudacher made 4-of-5 field goals, including two of three from three point range and keyed the Montana defense on the perimeter against the Bears.

 Senior center Brian Qvale and junior forward Derek Selvig keyed Montana's dominance in the key throughout the game. Qvale scored nine points and had six rebounds, while Selvig scored six points and had eight rebounds. Senior forward Vanny Bassy scored four points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Grizzlies pounded the boards, giving the Grizzlies a 36-25 edge, which included 13 offensive rebounds. Montana had an overwhelming 20-2 margin second-chance scoring margin over the Bears.

Junior guard Michael Taylor scored back-to-back three point shots during a critical first-half stretch, sparking Montana on a run that pulled the Grizzlies into a tie with the Bears. Montana went on to reclaim the lead and finished the first half with a 33-32 lead. The Girzzlies made 6-of-17 three point shots on the night.

The Grizzlies meet the host Weber State Wildcats in the Big Sky Championship game at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ogden't Dee Events Center. The winner advances to the NCAA 2010 Post Season Tournament.

Big Sky Conference regular season 2010 wrapup & tourney preview

Despite the best Montana team in Montana coach Wayne Tinkle’s four-year tenure, the Griz find themselves in a similar position heading into the post-season tourney. It’s been two years since the Griz made it past the first round. The feeling here is that the Grizzlies match up against the host Weber State Wildcats better than any other conference team. The hard part will be getting there.

A week of reckoning the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky post-season tourney tips off Saturday. Listed below are final standings with tourney seed. In parentheses is the Grizzly Journal pre-season pick, which was posted before the 2009-10 season began.

What follows is a Grizzly Journal summary of the season in the Big Sky Conference, including the Big Sky All-Conference honors. As an addendum to those honors, we included a few names we felt should be included among the Big Sky elite for 2009-10.

FINAL BIG SKY STANDINGS for 2009-2010

1. Weber State (pre-season pick: 1st)        13-3/19-9/L1 – Tourney host; 1st round bye
2. Northern Colorado (pre-season pick:7th)     12-4/24-6/W4 – Second seed; 1st round bye
3. Montana State (pre-season pick: 3rd)          10-6/15-13/W1 – Third seed; Hosts Portland State in round 1
4. Montana (pre-season pick: 2nd)                  10-6/19-9/L1 – Fourth seed; hosts Northern Arizona in round 1
5. Northern Arizona (pre-season pick: 6th)       8-8/14-13/W3 – Fifth seed; at Montana in round 1
6. Portland State (pre-season pick: 5th)           7-9/12-18/L1 – Sixth seed; at Montana State in round 1
7. Eastern Washington (pre-season pick: 8th)    5-11/9-21/W1 – Did not qualify for post-season tourney
8. Idaho State    (pre-season pick: 4th)             4-12/7-22/L4 – Did not qualify for post-season tourney
9. Sacramento State (pre-season pick: 9th)       3-13//9-21/L5 – Did not qualify for post-season tourney

LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS – Randy Rahe’s Weber State Wildcats followed the blueprint  for yet another Big Sky regular season title, this time engineered by stellar underclass guards Damian Lilliard (sophomore and conference MVP) and junior JC transfer Franklin Session. The Wildcats are not really the “best” at any single thing. Instead, they’re a classic coach’s team that, game after game, execute Rahe’s pre-game plans to perfection, particularly on defense. Though the Wildcats are favored to win the tourney title, there’s no doubt the memories of last year’s semifinal loss by the Wildcats to Montana State (in Ogden) is lodged in the back of their minds.

OVERACHIEVERS - Pre-season picks to finish as low as seventh in the Big Sky, the University of Northern Colorado Bears under coach Tadd Boyle, won their first eight non-conference games, established themselves as Big Sky contenders early, have been ranked in the College Insider Mid Major Top 25 since December, and are the proud owners of the best overall record in the conference (24-6). A late season foot injury to shooting guard, Devon Beitzel, has limited UNC’s offensive attack, but Boyle’s Bears, finished second in the Big Sky, earned a first-round post-season tourney bye, and are clearly in the hunt for their first NCAA appearance as members of the Big Sky.

MID-SEASON RETOOLING – After the departure of heralded Portland State coach Ken Bone to Washington State, first year Vikings’ coach Tyler Geving inherited a talented team that had won back-to-back post-season Big Sky titles. The Vikes continued as the Big Sky’s most potent offensive team, but struggled mightily on defense. Things looked bleak when prolific shooting wing, junior forward Phil Nelson, went down with a broken foot and the Viks lost five in a row and 8-of-10 in conference action. Geving tweaked his Viks’ lineup to make up for the loss of Nelson, and his rebuilt, improved defensive unit rebounded, edging WSU and ISU in final conference games to earn a 6th seed in the post-season tourney. Along with the MSU Bobcats, the Vikings are considered a dark horse capable of advancing in the  tourney. It all shakes down in first-round action Saturday, when the Vikings are at Bozeman against those very Bobcats (the tourney third seed), who had swept the Viks during conference play and capped their own late-season surge with an inspiring win at Missoula, where the Cats toyed with the Montana Grizzlies in a conference-ending 73-67 thumping before 7000 glum Griz fans.

SOMETHING TO PROVE – Two teams with something to prove clash Saturday in first-round Big Sky post-season tourney action when fifth seed Northern Arizona clashes with fourth seed Montana in Missoula. Northern Arizona’s rebuilding process has been arduous for NAU head coach Mike Adras, whose talented 2008-09 team imploded and several players departed. The Lumberjacks missed the post-season last year... an oddity, since Adras’ Jacks have qualified for post-season play in 9-of-11 years, which includes five tourney championship game appearances since 2000. Montana – whose three titles and NCAA appearances since 2000 leads the Big Sky – has been eliminated in first-round action since back-to-back championships in 2005-06. The teams are each led by All-Conference unanimous first-team guards. Talented junior guard Cameron Jones – ranked second in scoring in the Big Sky at 19.3 points per game – has led the Jacks back into contention almost singlehandedly. He’ll need some help down low for a Lumberjack win.

PHOTOS FROM TOP: Montana senior guard and all conference first team selection, Anthony Johnson. Montana senior shooting guard and all conference honorable mention Ryan Staudacher. Montana freshman point guard and all conference honorable mention Will Cherry. Montana junior center Brian Qvale.

Montana, picked as a title contender in each of Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle’s three previous seasons as head coach, has repeatedly suffered from late-season swoons and tourney elimination. And so, a home-court loss to Montana State before 7000 fans last week was not a good sign for Griz faithful. Montana, led by the Big Sky’s fourth leading scorer Anthony Johnson (18.8 points per game), ran off a mid-season hot streak that featured a potent offense from every corner of the floor... until losses in two of their final three conference games dropped them to fourth place. Johnson – arguably the Big Sky’s most talented guard – will need offensive support from his his wings and post players in order for the Grizzlies to advance. Montana, in particular, is the Big Sky team that matches up best with Weber State. But they’ll likely need two wins to put themselves in position of being able to prove it.

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD – It’s a tale of two teams for the Sacramento State Hornets and the Eastern Washington Eagles... two of the three Big Sky teams that were eliminated from Big Sky post-season tourney. When Sac State Coach Brian Katz took the controls in 2008, he loaded his squad with junior college talent in hopes of a quick turnaround. After back-to-back last place finishes with little to show, seven of Katz’ players will graduate – including all-conference post Justin Eller – leaving the cupboards bare once again. Katz will presumably build around talented junior guard Sultan Toles Bey. But there’s a lot of building to do.

After watching his team struggle through alternating stretches of inconsistent play, Eastern Washington coach Kirk Earlywine turned the reins of his team over to three promising freshman guards. One of those guards, Glen Dean, quickly proved himself capable of leading the Eagles... enough to be named the Big Sky’s Freshman of the Year. The Eagles manufactured upsets of Montana and Montana State, but not much more, and failed to qualify for post-season tourney play. But the foundation has been set for the Eagles as early as next year, perhaps. If Dean and teammates Jeffrey Forbes, Kevin Winford and Abebe Demissie can solidify the Eagles, Earlywine may have the makings of a contender.

MOST SURPRISING TEAM – But not in a good way, were the Idaho State Bengals, whose collapse was one of major proportions. This was the team that ISU Coach Joe O’Brien had built to contend for the Big Sky Crown. THIS YEAR. Loaded with eight very talented seniors and a potential MVP in senior Amorrow Morgan, the Bengals were picked to win it all by several preseason publications, and to be in the hunt by several others. But the Bengals never recovered from a brutal non-conference slate pummeling and – despite a last-second win over Montana and a thrilling 3OT loss to Weber State – looked more like a team endlessly in search of an identity. And a win. It’ll be interesting to see how O’Brien rebuilds his beaten Bengals.  

ALL BIG SKY  – The Big Sky All-Conference 2009-10 honorees were revealed earlier this week, and while Grizzly Journal supports the selections, there were several glaring omissions, based primarily on the concept that the Big Sky All-Conference squads appear to be built on the concept of the “15 Best Players,” rather than on the best players at a specific position. Rather than contest any conference picks, we’ve included those players and coaches we feel are deserving of recognition. See GRIZZLY JOURNAL KUDOS below.

FIRST TEAM -- Damian Lilliard, Sophomore, Weber State (MVP); Anthony Johnson, Sr., UM; Will Figures, Sr., UNC; Cameron Jones, Jr., NAU; Bobby Howard, Jr., MSU; Jamie Jones, Sr., PSU.

SECOND TEAM -- Amorrow Morgan, Sr., ISU; Steve Panos, Sr., WSU; Franklin Session, Jr., WSU; Devon Beitzel, Jr., UNC; Dominic Waters, Sr., PSU

HONORABLE MENTION -- Broderick Gilchrist, Jr., ISU; Justin Eller, Sr., SAC; Will Cherry, Fr., UM; Ryan Staudacher, Sr.; UM; Marquis Navarre, Jr.; MSU; Glen Dean, Fr. EWU.

BIG SKY MVP – Lilliard, WSU; NEWCOMER: Session, WSU; TOP FROSH: Dean, EWU; TOP DEFENDER: Yahosh Bonner, Sr., UNC.

GRIZZLY JOURNAL KUDOS
We can think of at least five players who should have received All-Big Sky recognition. Two players, in particular, merit our immediate inclusion: Montana State point guard Will Bynum – a classic (criminally underrated) coach’s floor general – deserves at least second-team mention; and, Montana’s 6’-11’ junior center Brian Qvale, who logged a quiet blue-collar season of merit. Qvale would be an all-conference pick in virtually any other western Division 1 conference.

For the second straight year, the Big Sky’s best all-around player was Montana’s Anthony Johnson, though we can understand (and accept) why he was not named Big Sky MVP (an honor usually reserved for the most important player on the best team in the conference).

COACH – Randy Rahe, Weber State, and Tad Boyle, University of Northern Colorado.

BIG SKY REFEREES – The level of officiating in the Big Sky has improved dramatically over the past three seasons and – except for a few glaring oddities for 2009-10 – has helped make the Big Sky a better, more competitive conference overall. Now let’s get some top level Division 1 teams to agree on home-and-home preseason games!

Bobcats stun Grizzlies 73-67 in senior night disappointment

For the second straight year the Montana State Bobcats stunned the Montana Grizzlies, this time before a season-high 6927 fans in Dahlberg arena in a 73-67 walkaway that wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated.

The teams finished the regular season at third place in the Big Sky Conference with identical 10-6 records. The conference tie-breaker means the win secures a third seed in the Big Sky Conference post-season tourney for the Bobcats, while the Grizzlies were bumped a notch down to the fourth seed with the loss. Both teams will host first-round games next Saturday. The fifth place, fifth seeded Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (8-8) face the Grizzlies in Missoula while the sixth seeded Portland State Vikings (6-9) will meet the Cats in Bozeman.

The Bobcats, behind the sure hand of senior Will Bynum – filling in at point for Marquis Navarre, who was saddled with foul problems – controlled the game throughout. Bynum led the Cats with 22 points on 5-of-6 shsooting from the field, 12-of-17 free throws three assists and two steals.

Forward Bobby Howard scored 17 points and snared 12 rebounds, while guard Eric Rush added 12 points and center Branden Johnson had 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Bobcats, one of the worst rebounding teams in the Big Sky, cleared the boards for a 38-26 advantage over the Grizzlies, with 12 of those boards coming on the offensive end.

Montana was led once again by its stalwart senior guard Anthony Johnson, who scored 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He was joined in double figures by sophomore forward Derek Selvig, who scored 14 while grabbing eight rebounds. No other Grizzly player reached double figures.

Johnson and freshman point guard Will Cherry scored several buckets on one-on drives late in the second half, and the effort succeeded in pulling the Grizzlies to within six points at the 1:26 mark, and four points with just over a minute remaining. But a missed Montana shot with 54 seconds left gave the Cats possession, and the Grizzlies had to foul -- with no success, as the Cats scored six points on free throws to extend the lead to the game's final  score.

Montana shot a cool 61 percent from the free throw line (16-for-26) and an even chillier 7-of-16 from three point range.

The Bobcats controlled the game from the tip, moving to leads as much as 12 points in the first half before settling for a 38-30 halftime lead. The second half was the same story, with the Cats expanding their lead to as many as 18 points before the Grizzlies mounted a desperation rally that was too late... and certainly too little.

PHOTOS: (Top) Montana forward Derek Selvigs posts up against  Bobcak Erik Rush for two of his 14 points. Selvig had eight rebounds in 34 minutes of action. (Second photo) Montana point guard Will Cherry drives against Rush in late second half action. Cherry scored nine points, but fouled out with 5:13 remaining in the game. (Third) Montana's Anthony Johnson posts up against Montana State's Bobby Howard for two of his game high 31 points. Johnson made 9-of-14 shots from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the three point arc. (Bottom) Montana center Brian Qvale battles for a rebound against Montana State's Branden Johnson and Erik Rush. Qvale made three points and had four rebounds in 15 minutes of action.

The Bobcats completely shut down Montana's offensive flow early in the game, limiting the Grizzlies to poor shots as the shot clock was expiring, or to forced shots that were always contested by Bobcat defenders. It was the opposite at the other end of the floor, with score after score from the paint. The Bobcats finished the game with a 32-22 margin on points in the paint, a number that was inflated on Montana's side of the ledger with several layups after the game was essentially decided.

Another telling statistic of the game was Montana's seven assists, well below its season-average 12.2 assists per game.

NOTE: Because of the two-game schedule, more photos (including slide shows) and stories of the weekend will be posted during the coming week.

Anthony Johnson's 30 leads Montana to 91-68 runaway past Idaho State

On a night when the Montana Grizzlies weathered two furious Idaho State rallies – one of them with the help of ISU Coach Joe O’Brien – it was the cool demeanor and hot hand of All Big Sky senior guard Anthony Johnson that eventually propelled the Grizzlies to a runaway 91-68 Big Sky Conference win over the Bengals before 3761 fans at Dahlberg Arena Saturday.

With the Grizzlies nursing a 56-46 lead, Johnson literally took command of the game  at the tail end of a chaotic span midway through the second half... a bizarre stretch that included three Idaho State technicals (two on O’Brien, forcing his ejection), a flagrant foul on each team, and a bushel-full of Montana turnovers caused by a briefly effective Bengals’ full-court trapping zone press.

With 10:51 remaining in the game, Johnson calmly stepped to the line and sank two free throws after ISU’s Austin Kilpatrick was whistled for a flagrant foul and an ensuing technical.

Then – after Vassy Banny (who had been fouled by Kilpatrick) made both free throws  – Johnson proceeded to score 10 straight points on two three-point daggers from the tip of the key and four more points on free throws after being fouled by ISU defenders.

After the steam cleared a mere two minutes later, with Montana’s lead exploding to 70-48, the senior floor general – with a season high 30 points under his belt – took the bench at the 8:03 mark to a rousing ovation from the Montana crowd.

The exhausted Bengals, minus their coach and senior leader Amorrow Morgan (out with a sprained ankle suffered Friday), seemed to concede the game as Montana expanded its lead to as many as 28 points, before settling for the 23-point win.

PHOTOS: Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson (Top) is fouled by ISU guard Broderick Gilchrist on a drive to the bucket in first half play. Johnson led all scorers with 30 points. (Second photo) Montana freshman guard Will Cherry scored on this drive past defender Gilchrist to the bucket midway through the second half. Cherry had seven points and six assists. (Third photo) Montana junior wing Raason Young scores two of his nine points on this second half drive past Chron Tatum to the bucket. (Bottom) Brian Qvale scored 18 points on perfect 8-for-8 shooting against ISU. Here he scores a tally over ISU defender Demetrius Monroe.

Johnson was more concerned with Montana’s lapses than he was with his personal effort. “I don’t want to take anything away from them (ISU) because they have great players, but we just kind of lost effort and focus for a little bit,” said Johnson.

“That’s something we’ve got to clean up if we’re going to win our next four,” said Johnson. “A couple of lazy passes, one by me... or a couple by me, actually. Just mental lapses that we can’t have if we expect to win.”

Montana coach Wayne Tinkle was more complimentary. “Credit to our guys for staying focused by and large,” said Tinkle. “Other than a couple of spurts during the game when we had to bring them back on page, I thought their focus was really, really good.”

Montana had taken a commanding 16-9 first-half lead by getting the ball to its muscular 6’-11’ junior post Brian Qvale, who scored 10 of those 16 points on two dunks and a variety of other point-blank buckets.

The Bengals couldn’t stop Qvale, so they switched to a trapping zone defense. The change in defense blunted Montana’s charge, even though the Grizzlies maintained distance that was good enough for a 38-30 halftime lead.

Though the Bengals used a variety of zone and full-court zone looks throughout the game, Montana was still effective in the key. Qvale finished with 18 points on 8-for-8 from the field, many of his buckets coming off of assists from forward Derek Selvig, who was scoreless but tied freshman guard Will Cherry with six assists.

Barely into the second half, O’Brien was whistled for two quick technicals and promptly left the court, Johnson sank three of the four free throws and Montana led by 13.

But the Bengals – behind inspired play and 22 points from junior guard Broderick Gilchrest – fought back with several mini-rallies in the early stages. When the speedy guard wasn’t driving and scoring, he was dishing to front-court players Chron Tatum (13 points) or Demetrius Monroe (10 points).

Senior guard Kilpatrick added 13 points on a variety of pull-up jumpers.

Whenever the Bengals narrowed the gap to single digits, Montana was able to respond. Until Kilpatrick’s foul and technical.

On paper, Montana dominated, shooting 65.3 percent from the field to ISU’s 47.9%, wresting a 30-20 margin on the boards, and getting 17 assists from its half court offense. Montana got 24 points from its bench players compared to ISU’s 10. Fouls were a near wash, with Montana whistled for 18 compared to 17 for the Bengals.

Significantly, the Grizzlies never trailed, and when the Bengals rallied, their efforts were never quite enough.

That, to Tinkle, was an important aspect that led to Montana’s final margin.

“We’ve really bought in here lately to win the mental and physical battles,” said Tinkle. “We had two tough teams. I don’t think there were any cheap shots either way. I thought the game was controlled really well in the second half... Obviously, we reacted pretty positively. We didn’t make big deals when we were fouled hard, went to the line, tried to make them pay and to, you know... just to continue to play that physical style of basketball and not back down,” said Tinkle.

So, with Johnson’s final offensive flurry, the Grizzlies coasted to their seventh win over their last eight Big Sky games... at 8-4 that’s good enough for sole possession of third place behind league-leading Weber, four-point victors over Montana State, and Northern Colorado, which plays Sunday.

Montana now hits the road for important games at Portland State and Eastern Washington, games they’ll have to win to keep pace with the Wildcats and Bears.

The Bengals, at 3-8 and in seventh place, need a major turnaround to qualify for post-season seeding.

Montana guard tandem sparks Griz to 75-61 win over Weber State

The aggressive Montana Grizzlies bolted to a 7-0 lead, which they extended to an 11-point halftime margin, and coasted to a 75-61 victory over the Big Sky Conference-leading Weber State Wildcats before 4557 fans at Dahlberg Arena Friday.

“We’ve been building a little confidence with a couple wins in a row,” said Montana senior guard Ryan Staudacher. “We just know that if we come out ready to play and on edge like we did tonight, it just makes a world of difference.”

Staudacher and Montana's Vanny Bassy got the Grizzlies in a groove early with steals that were converted to points in the Grizzlies' early run... and put the Wildcats on their heels.

The win boosted Montana’s record to 7-4 in conference play, tied for third with Montana State, 63-60- victors over Idaho State. The league-leading Wildcats dropped to 8-2, a full game ahead of second place Northern Colorado and two ahead of the Grizzlies and Bobcats.

“It’s great to get a win at home against the top team in the league,” said an upbeat Montana coach Wayne Tinkle. “I know they’ve kind of dominated us here, swept the last two games here. We didn’t get involved in any of that nonsense during the week. We just talked about doing what we do, to try to improve for the stretch run,” said Tinkle.

Senior forward Banny, starting in place of an under-the-weather Jack McGlllis,  sparked Montana early, stealing a pass for a thunderous dunk and disrupting the Wildcats’ offensive flow on several other occasions, each of which resulted in points and contributed to Montana’s early surge.

An enthusiastic senior point guard Anthony Johnson  – who had a quiet 3-point first half – credited several players with giving Montana its early lead.

“Ryan Staudacher caught fire real fast, said Johnson. “Vanny Bassy got a monster dunk in the beginning. Will Cherry, I mean I can’t say much more about him... Derek Selvig, he was just dominating in the first half... mainly with his passing,” said Johnson.

Banny said he was ready, and happy, for the opportunuity. “Since the beginning of the year, since I got here, I’ve always been ready,” said Banny.

“What I try to do is bring energy and help my teammates feel confident. Whenever there’s energy there... everybody picks it up,” said Banny, who finished with six points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor.

The game was another step for a Montana team that seemed to find itself after a close loss to Montana State in Bozeman.

“After the Montana State game, we convinced them to be more aggressive, starting in transition,” said Tinkle. “And I think that gets us out, gets us some flow... We want to be an up-tempo team, and it’s taken us four-and-a-half months to kind-of buy into it,” said Tinkle.

Montana also continued with its patented Big-Sky-best tough defense, stifling WSU with an aggressive combination of zone and man-to-man looks, limiting the Wildcats to 37.5  percent shooting for the game, while dominating the boards by nine, 38-29.

PHOTOS: (Top) Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson drives past Weber State defender Darin Mahoney for two of his 18 points in Montana's74-61 win Friday. (Second photo) Forward Vassy Banny posts up after grabbing an offensive rebound. Banny scored six points in 23 minutes of action for Montana. (Thrid photo) Freshman guard Will Cherryloses momentary control of the ball in a drive into the lane past Weber State defenders Lindsey Hughey (left) and Steve Panos. Cherry scored 14 points in 32 minutes of action.(Bottom photo) Montana center Brian Qvale battles against defenders Franklin Session and Steve Panos in first half action. No foul was called on the play.

Still, the Grizzlies could not contain sophomore Wildcat guard Damian Lilliard who – after scoring 34 in the teams’ first meeting – scored 24 Friday on 8-of-17 shooting, 4-of-7 from beyond the three point arc.

This game however, Lilliard’s efforts were nullified by Montana’s balanced scoring attack, which featured double-digits scoring by seniors Johnson (18) and Staudacher (16), and 14 from freshman guard Will Cherry.

The Wildcats were no mach for Montana’s double-barreled two-guard attack from Johnson and Cherry, whose drives to the basket usually resulted in points, whether by converted layups, or on free throws from fouls by Weber State defenders.

Johnson, who leads the Big Sky in free throw attempts and makes, was golden again, sinking 12-of-14 from the line. Cherry made 8-for-12. The duo’s 20 points at the free throw line added up to a lopsided 14 point-Montana advantage at the free throw line. The only other Griz to shoot a free throws was Staudacher.

When the lightning quick guards weren’t driving, they were dishing, and Staudacher became the recipient of several assists from Johnson and Cherry, knocking down 5-of-7 three-point shots from the wing as Wildcat defenders collapsed on the driving guard tandem.

“We’re simplyfing things a little bit on offense,” said Johnson. “But I think it’s a great back-court that we have and we’ve got to keep attacking, doing the things we’ve been doing over the next five games, starting with tomorrow,” said Johnson in reference to Montana's Saurday game with Idaho State.

The Wildcats did muster up one brief second-half run, scoring nine points in a row to reduce a 17-point Montana lead to eight with just over seven minutes to play. But Cherry and Johnson each scored quick buckets, Selvig grabbed an offensive board with a put-back, and Staudacher nailed a trey off of an assist from Banny for a comfortable 18-point margin that Montana would maintain for the win.

But Montana’s momentum started early, which has been the key to all three Montana wins over the past week, said Staudacher.

Montana’s front court play was also solid. Center Brian Qvale, who had an uncharacteristic poor shooting night (3-for-8), made up for it elsewhere by snagging eight rebounds and blocking three shots. Reserve forward Derek Selvig scored nine points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting while grabbing four rebounds, dishing three assists and blocking two shots.

Wildcat shooting guard Franklin Session scored 10 points on 6-of-14 from the field and 10 rebounds. Reserve guard Lindsey Hughey added 12 points. Montana held the Wildcats’ front-court players to 13 total points on the night.

Weber State travels to Bozeman for a match against the Bobcats. Montana hosts the 7th-place Idaho State Bengals Saturday.

Montana shuts-down high-powered Portland State, 90-58

The Montana Grizzlies conducted a clinic in team defense Saturday, holding the Portland State Vikings 21 points below their season average with a convincing 90-58 win in Big Sky Conference action before 3276 fans in Dahlberg Arena.

The victory moves Montana to 3-3 in conference play, while Portland State slipped to 2-2.

The Vikings entered the contest with a 79.1 scoring average, and the league’s best shooting percentage for field goals (.481 ) and three point field goals (.406).

But Montana – the Big Sky’s best defensive team with 59 points per-game allowed - was ready.

The Griz smothered the Vikings with an icy defensive blanket, limiting PSU to a 39.6 field goal percentage. More significantly, the Vikings made only 2-of-15 three point shots (13.3%) as Montana defenders forced the Vikings to the far corners of the court with a doubling, shifting man-on defense.

PHOTOS: Derek Selvig (top) gets a first half tip-in as part of a 10-point Montana run that broke a 16-16 tie resulting in Montana's 28-18 lead midway through the first half. (Bottom) Montana post Brian Qvale scores two of his 19 points against the Vikings. Qvale converted 8-of-9 shots and made 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Montana senior point guard Anthony Johnson shredded the Vikings’ defense with darting dribble-enter drives down the lane for 20 points on a hot 6-for-12 shooting night and – when he was fouled by Viks defenders – shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.

When Johnson wasn’t driving & scoring, he and reserve forward Derek Selvig found junior 6’-11” Griz post Brian Qvale open in the key at point-blank range. The muscular Griz post made 8-of-9 field goal attempts and 3-of-4 from the free throw line for 19 points.

But it was Selvig who turned an early 16-16 deadlock into a Montana runaway. The lanky 6'-10" power forward nailed his first of three three-point shots from the tip of the key, fed Qvale for another score, and then capped the rally with a second trey, catapulting the Grizzlies to a 28-18 lead in a short three-minute span midway through the first half.

The Grizzlies steadily extended the lead over the increasingly frustrated Viks, and led 41-28 at halftime.

Despite a couple of brief Vikings’ scoring flurries early in the second half the Grizzlies – under Johnson’s steady hand, controlled the game, steadily expanding the lead to the final 32-point margin.

Senior shooting guard Ryan Staudacher had his second-straight outstanding shooting game, swishing 5-of-7 field goals, 2-for-4 from three-point range. Staudacher also anchored Montana’s switching defense with back-door protection against lobs or screens and pulled down five rebounds on the game.

Staudacher and Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said Montana’s defensive strategy was to prevent the Vikings from shooting beyond the arc.

“They (the Vikings) shot a lot of threes and they’ve got great shooters and we just really focused on taking away the three-point line.

“We did a good job of building help defense and keeping the ball in front of us... something we worked on in practice all week,” said Staudacher.

PHOTOS: Ryan Staudacher (top) scores two of his 15 points in first-half action of Montana's 90-58 win over  Portland State. Mathias Ward (bottom) drives to the bucket for two of his eight points Saturday.

“We just extended our D out a little bit more,” said Tinkle. “ We really guard at the 3-point line and we knew tonight we were going to have to maybe move a step or two out because we knew they were such a prolific three point shooting team.

“Our guys were really on pace,” said Tinkle. “We switched a lot of their on-ball looks, and it kept them from getting some open looks,” said Tinkle.

Tinkle singled-out Qvale, and his dominance of the key as a game-changing force.

“It’s nice to know when he’s anchoring things down in or around the basket,” said Tinkle. “We know that we can throw it to him and he’s going to score at a high clip.

“Teams have got to figure out if they’re going to trap him and then leave a shooter open out on the perimeter... or just go one-on-one and let him score.”

Tinkle alluded to Montana’s depth, particularly on defense. But team depth also paid dividends on offense. Besides Selvig’s 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, frosh reserve post Mathias Ward scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, and played solid defense in 12 minutes of play.

Montana outrebounded Portland State 33-24, and logged a stellar assist-to-turnover ratio of 17-3, compared to the Vikings 8-10.

Montana now travels to Sacramento for a Jan 20 game against the Hornets, their first of four straight road games. The Vikings return tome for a Thursday clash with league-leading Northern Colorado and a Saturday game against 1-4 Northern Arizona.

Cherry 'picks' Eagles: leads Grizzlies to 79-66 win over Eastern

Montana freshman point guard Will Cherry converted three steals into six points in the first three minutes of second-half, and single-handedly reversed the flow of the game in the Grizzlies’ 79-66 Big Sky Conference win over the Eastern Washington Eagles at Dahlberg Arena Friday.

The win boosts Montana’s record to 2-3 heading into Saturday night’s clash against the Portland State Vikings, who lost to the MSU Bobcats 77-71. The Eagles, who slipped to 1-2, face the Bobcats in Bozeman Saturday.

The Eagles – behind early deadeye shooting of Glen Dean and Jeffrey Forbes – had shot a blistering 55.6% percent from the field in the first half, including 57 percent from three-point range – to take a 41-37 lead into halftime.

A further catalyst of EWU’s run was a monstrous 10-rebound first half margin, keyed by Eagle senior center Brandon Moore, who finished the game with 11.

But Cherry changed the fortunes of both teams in lightning quick fashion.

Eastern quickly built its halftime margin to seven on forward Mark Dunn’s trey mere seconds into the second half. But then Cherry went to work.

The frosh defensive wiz stole the ball from Dean and scored on a layup to draw the Griz within five.

Seconds later, Cherry hit a jumper in the key to pull Montana within three.

PHOTOS: Freshman Will Cherry (top) slices between Eagle defenders Kevin Winford (23) and Jeffrey Forbes (2) and then scores (second) two of his 17 points in Montana's 79-66 win over EWU Friday.

Suddenly, an Eagle lead of seven-points... and the game momentum, was halted.

“He (Cherry) was the difference,” said Montana coach Wayne Tinkle. “We were in la-la land defensively, we didn’t communicate, we had zero intensity... we couldn’t guard the corner in our 2-3 zone...

“I’m telling you, he’s young,” Tinkle added. “But whenever we get after him and challenge him, he responds. And once he did that, I think everybody jumped on his coattails.”

Cherry said he was just doing what his coaches told him to do.

“In the second half, I really just tried to come out and put the pressure on their guards, which they hadn’t seen in the first half,” said Cherry. “That’s what the coaches really want me to do... pick up full court and just really pressure the guards.”

Montana’s defense, taking direct inspiration from Cherry, applied the clamps to the Eagle’s dribble-screen & roll offense at the high post. And when Eagle ball-handlers managed to penetrate the key, Montana center Brian Qvale was there. Qvale notched a Montana record six blocked shots, including a steal that led directly to another bucket by Cherry.

The teams battled on even terms over the next four minutes, with EWU clinging to a narrow lead, until another Cherry steal and bucket at the 13:18 mark gave Montana its first lead since early in the first half at 51-49.

Montana’s sudden defensive intensity gradually wore the Eagles down. Eastern’s second-half shooting percentage plummeted to 36 percent over the second frame.

PHOTOS: Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson (above) scores two of his game-high 25 points against Eagle defenders Glen Dean (#1) and Brandon Moore. Montana forward Jack McGillis drives to the bucket past Eagle defender Mark Dunn. McGillis scored six points in Montana's win.

The results were recorded at the other end of the floor... and on the scoreboard.

Montana’s revived defense – which notched 13 steals, led by Cherry’s seven – rattled the Eagles, who committed nine additional turnovers (22 for the game).

The logjam broke with five minutes remaining. Montana extended its lead quickly to six... this time on a steal by Johnson, who drove the lane, but saw Griz shooting guard Ryan Staudacher in the left corner for his first trey. On the next possession, Qvale stole a pass intended for Moore and passed it to wing Raason Young on the break. Young found Staudacher open in the same spot: good again. Griz up 70-61. Game over.

“We finally got a couple in transition,” said Staudacher. “Will and Anthony both did a great job of looking up the floor.

“You know,” Staudacher added, “If they want to face-guard me in the corner and give these guys lanes to drive to the basket, so be it. But I finally got open on a great screen by Qvale, and I got a chance to knock them down.”

Johnson was the main benefactor of Cherry’s inspired play, however.

The senior responded with his best game in perhaps a month, scoring 25 points on his patented combo of slashing drives and alternating pull-up jumpers. And when Eastern defenders tightened up on Johnson, he dished to the wings, where Staudacher’s 3-of-4 treys netted 11 points, while junior win Raason Young added six.

“That’s the Stauds I like, right there,” said Johnson. “When he’s knocking down shots, I don’t think there’s anybody who can do it better than him,

“We know we’re a better team when we’re attacking,” Johnson added. “I mean, it plays to everybody’s strength. Leave the attacking up to me and Will, and leave the three-point shooting to our shooters.”

Cherry finished with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting, while forward Jack McGillis netted six and pulled down four rebounds.

Qvale – who scored only four points on the game – made up for it with his towering defense, which included two steals.

Eastern was led by Dean’s 15 points. Forbes added 12, while Dunn and Moore scored eight.

The Eagles finished with an 11-rebound margin (36-25), but the board battle was even in the second frame.

Montana turned the ball over only seven times.

Montana shot a lukewarm 18-of-26 free throws, but upped its shooting percentage to 49.1 – which included 7-of-15 from long range –  by game’s end.

Big Sky Conference Year-end report

BIG SKY CONFERENCE

(Records are ALL/CONF/STREAK)

1. Northern Colorado (12-3/1-1/W1)  Bears are for real, and will head into conference play as odds-on favorites.
2. Montana (10-4/1-1/W4)  Frosh guard Will Cherry giving Griz a quickness charge at both ends of court.
3. Montana State (7-5/2-0/L1)   Balanced scoring from four starters gives senior point guard Will Bynum offensive options.
4. Weber State (7-6/1-0/L1)  Super soph Damian Lillard (19.1 PPG) has led Wildcats in scoring in nine of 13 games.
5. Sacramento State (6-8/1-1/W2)  Hornets equal ‘09 conference win total in first conference match, a 64-63 victory over Idaho State.
6. Portland State (6-7/1-0/L3)  High octane Vikings scoring at 79-point per game clip… but giving up 81.7 PPG.
7. Northern Arizona (4-7/0-2/L1)  Forget the record.  Coach Mike Adras appears to have Jacks ready for January conference play.
8. Eastern Washington (4-10/0-1/L4)  In search starting-quint chemistry, coach Earlywine distributes ample playing time to 10 players.
9. Idaho State (3-10/0-1/L6)  JC newcomer 6’0 Broderick Gilchrest providing Bengals much-needed scoring boost heading into conference play (14.8 PPG).

RPI BOOSTERS

Northern Colorado and Montana remain the only Big Sky teams to earn Mid Major Poll recognition this season.  The Bears slipped one notch from last week to 23rd (87 points), while Montana nearly tripled its vote total (22), still not enough for an actual top 25 ranking.  Of more significance, perhaps, is the Big Sky Conference’s improved record against Division 1 opponents. Facing a tough composite pre-season schedule against D1 competition, the Big Sky has fared well, subsequently boosting its rating against comparable mid-major conferences, and recently stepping ahead of the Big West to 17th in the USA Today Sagarin conference ratings.

HOT & NOT

HOT — The Montana State Bobcats — a pre-season pick as one of the favorites in the Big Sky — turned a 2-3 November record topsy turvy with a workmanlike 5-2 December record that included two homecourt wins in early league play and a creditable last-second 58-56 loss to Boise State in Boise.  The Cats are getting remarkable balance from starters Bobby Howard (13.3 PPG), Marquis Navarre (11.6 PPG), Erik Rush (13 PPG), and Branden Johnson (10.3 PPG), while limiting opponents to 66 PPG.

NOT — The Eastern Washington Eagles (4-9) — losers of four-straight games heading into conference play — are showing signs as potential dubious owners of the Big Sky’s cellar door key.  Kirk Earlywine’s Eagles lost a last-shot nail-biter to a tough 8-5 Nevada Wolfpack squad (73-30) before absorbing a 91-34 lashing from BYU that apparently damaged morale, as the Eagles’ promptly lost games against two sub-.500 opponents, Chicago State (4-7) and previously winless Jackson State (1-10).  After the demoralizing loss to BYU, Earlywine said, “For the life of me, I can’t figure out what happened to our team.”

SETBACK

We’ve mentioned Idaho State’s brutal non-conference schedule earlier in this report, but it bears repeating in light of the Bengals’ 2-10 record with one non-conference game left before conference play resumes.  At what point does a challenging pre-season schedule become demoralizing for players? And how does the endless road schedule affect their fans?  The Bengals spent most of December on the road (10 games), eking out a lone road win against UMKC (68-65).  One of those losses was their only conference match, a 64-63 setback at Sacramento State, while their only home game against a major college foe resulted in a 79-67 loss to Boise State.  But the Bengals played tough through most of those losses.  It’ll be interesting to see if the schedule makes the Bengals improved enough to be the Big Sky contender several pre-season publications predicted.

STAT CHECK

• Northern Colorado’s plus-3.23 TPG turnover margin is the best Big Sky mark by a significant margin, far better than second place Montana’s plus-1.29 margin.
• Montana’s limiting all opponents to an impressive 57.6 PPG, an impressive 10 PPG better than second place Northern Colorado. The Grizzlies back up that mark with a league best defensive field goal percentage average of .401.
• Weber State soph guard Damian Lilliard’s 19.1 PPG average is a Big Sky best, while ISU guard-forward Demetrius Moore’s 8.3 per game rebounding mark leads the league.  Portland State’s Dominic Waters’ 5.0 per game assist average is a full assist per game better than second place.

Cherry, Johnson lead Montana over Fresno State, 59-56

Freshman guard Will Cherry jump-started a listless Montana offense and senior point guard Anthony Johnson nailed a crucial pull-up jumper to propel the Grizzles  to a 59-56 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs in Dahlberg arena Monday.

Montana (9-4) trailed the Paul George-led Bulldogs 45-35 with barely over 11 minutes when Montana coach Wayne Tinkle inserted his freshman sparkplug into the game and told him to drive into the seams of the airtight Fresno zone defense.

That he did, hitting two critical layups on slashing drives and nailing a trey from the right elbow while igniting the spark that rejuvenated Montana’s listless second half effort.

Until that point, George -- a sinewy and muscular power forward with NBA written all over him -- had nailed six 3-point shots from all angles while leading the Bulldogs (6-6) to a dominant ownership of the boards.

But, while George led all scorers and rebounders with 28 points and 10 boards, it was the effort of Montana wing-forward Jack McGillis, whose bulldog-tough defense held George under wraps while his team got a renewed offensive effort from several players.

“In the first half our offense wasn’t really attacking their defense, “ said Cherry. “But when I got in, the coaches told me to attack their zone, and get drop-offs and get assists, and that’s what I did,” said Cherry, who finished with 11 points, two assists and two steals.

 Tinkle said,”We came out and made about three errors in a row to start the second half. But we made a quick change with Mike Taylor and then came quickly with Will,” said Tinkle.

I just thought we got stagnant against their zone and we needed guys to attack and he did a super job of getting into the teeth of that zone,” said Tinkle.

Included in the run were gutsy efforts by reserve power forward Derek Selvig, junior post Brian Qvale, and backup off-guard Taylor, all of whom had crucial buckets in the Montana run that finally resulted in Montana’s first lead of the game at the 2:47 mark, when two free throws by Selvig gave the Griz their first lead.

Johnson led Montana with 11 points, while Qvale scored 10 on 4-for-6 shooting in the key.

PHOTOS: Freshman guard Will Cherry (top) scores two of his 11 points on a second half drive "into the teeth" of the Fresno State zone defense. (Middle) Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson has his lane blocked by Fresno defender Greg Smith. Johnson's jumper with six seconds remaining salted Montana's 59-56 win over the dogs. (Bottom) Montana wing Jack McGillis drives the lane in second half action. McGillis' defense against Fresno guard Paul George was instrumental in Montana's win.

Guard Ryan Staudacher had helped keep Montana in the game early with nine points on three treys, but it was three assists and a critical trey by Taylor (who ended with 6) and two key buckets by Selvig (6) that kept Montana’s rally fueled until the final minute.

By then the sparse Montana crowd of 2726 had gotten into the spirit of the rally, and -- after a Fresno timeout --  generated enough lung-power to distract the Bulldog players from hearing their frantic coaches warn them of a shot-clock violation at the 1:18 mark... a turnover which gave the Grizzlies a crucial extra possession with Montana up 57-54.

Fresno forward Sylvester Seay, who finished with 11 points, pulled the dogs within 57-56 with 41 seconds remaining.

Johnson took over from there. After a Montana timeout, Johnson led Montana’s passing game against Fresno’s zone, but when the Bulldogs switched to man-on defense with about 15 seconds left, Johnson drove into the key for one of his patented pull-up jumpers to give Montana it’s final margin at the 6-second mark.

Johnson downplayed his shot afterwards, but said the game came down to toughness. “’They knew everything we were running, we knew everything they were running, and so it was really a battle of the wills at the end,” said Johnson.

A half-court shot by Fresno was off the left and Montana had its victory.

Though the Bulldogs cleared the boards with a 32-23 mark, Selvig’s late board work kept Montana in the game. The Grizzlies turned-in one of their now patented defensive efforts, holding the Bulldogs to 38 percent from the field while shooting 47 percent and logging one of their best long-range games of the year with 10 treys in 22 shots.

Montana hosts the College of Great Falls Wednesday before getting geared up for the resumption of conference play... a Dec. 31 road trip to Idaho State.

Qvale back in action, leads Montana over MSU Northern

In most respects, Montana's 57-43 win over MSU-Northern Wednesday was a chance for Grizzly junior center Brian Qvale to get his game legs back.

Qvale, who missed Montana's recent road trip because of a family matter -- a win at Loyola Marymount and a last-second loss at Colorado State -- was up to the task.

The dominating Griz power post led both teams with 23 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots and patrolled the key at both ends of the floor with authority.

Otherwise, the Griz looked strangely disjointed, blowing a 20-point lead after Montana coach Wayne Tinkle inserted several substitutes early in the second half. MSU-Northern scored 10 straight, and at one point trimmed the Montana lead to eight before Griz point guard Anthony Johnson hit two of his three field goals back to back and allowed the Griz to take control of the game until its conclusion.

PHOTO: Brian Qvale scores two of his game-high 23 points Wednesda. Qvale was 9-of-11 from the field and blocked four shots on the defensive end of the floor.

It seemed that Tinkle was asking his charges to run several specific plays, in a type of practice mode. Certainly, whenever Qvale got the ball, he scored or was fouled. Montana shot 57 percent from the field in the second half and finished with a 53.5 mark on the game.

Montana plays its final three nonconference games of the season in a span of five days beginning Saturday, when they host a tough UC Riverside squad (7-3) before hosting the even tougher Fresno State Bulldogs (5-5) on the 21st, and the College of Great Falls on the 23rd.

The Grizzlies, who have played well but seem still searching for an elusive team chemistry... and searching still more for an outside shooting game, will take a long Christmas break before resuming Big Sky Conference play Dec. 31 at Idaho State.

Senior forward Jack McGillis scored 10 points for Montana, while six other players scored. Montana made an icy 2-of-9 from beyond the three point arc, a stark contrast to the overall 50% plus mark otherwise.

Montana steals conference opener from Jacks, 71-54

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.

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.

Early Big Sky tipoff will affect most schools, players

There's a revealing story in Flagstaff's Thursday's Arizona Daily Sun newspaper on the brutal impact of this year's extra early tipoff of conference play.

Though the early conference games will have an impact on every team except Idaho State, which won't play a conference game until Dec. 31, the article details the negative impact the schedule will have on the last week of fall semester and final exams.

The schedule was juggled so that the March Big Sky Conference championship could be televised by ESPN.

An additional impact will be the change from Thursday-Saturday games to back-to-back Friday-Saturday games on three of the conference road swings, including the Montana-Montana State games.

Northern Arizona University coach Mike Adras, for one, is not happy. He and his Lumberjacks face one of their longest road swings the weekend before final exams are scheduled at NAU.

Montana players and coaches can identify. Last season the Grizzlies were one of two Big Sky teams to hit the road early, with a mid December game at Portland State.

Grizzly Journal video interview with Jack McGillis

You can read Grizzly Journal's Big Sky Conference pre-season interview with Montana seniors Ryan Staudacher and Anthony Johnson in the front page story just below this one. We also published a video interview with senior Jack McGillis.

You can view that video interview as part of the feature on Montana's three senior starters below. But we decided to also run the video interview with McGillis separately.

To view the interview with McGillis, click on the screen below. Or, watch the same interview as part of our senior feature in the story below this one.

MONTANA SENIOR JACK McGILLIS

Montana seniors discuss keys for success entering league play

Grizzlly Journal had the opportunity to talk to Montana senior starters just prior to the start of league play. Montana enters conference play with a 4-2 record, after beating Oregon in Portland and losing to Washington by four points in Seattle, a game they led through most of the contest.

The three team leaders discuss Montana's loss to the Huskies, the team's improved defense, their roles as senior leaders, and what the team needs to accomplish as conference play tips off.

Grizzly Journal's interviews with Staudacher and Johnson is printed below. McGillis' interview was video-recorded and is available by clicking the "play" icon on the photo of McGillis below.

RYAN STAUDACHER, Montana Senior shooting guard

GJ: What is the key for the Grizzlies on defense over the next few games?

Staudacher: We have to keep playing hard, and keep the effort up on defense. And communicate. I think when we communicate on defense, we’ve been tough to score on. Helping defense is also important. Especially against teams like Washington that penetrate into the key a lot, and creates havoc by getting players into the lane. Our goals there are to force them to kick the ball out and take a forced jumper.

GJ: What we saw from Montana against Washington was that you were totally unintmidated.

Staudacher: Well, this Griz team is a mature group, we’ve been in this type of game before, so I don’t think we were intimidated. When you play hard on defense like we’ve been doing, you start getting stops and then realize you can play with these guys. And then that helps on the offensive end as well.

GJ: Your coach has said early this season that the play of the wings, from the 2 and 3 positions, will be important for Montana’s success this season.

Staudacher: As long as we can knock down our outside shots, then we can keep the defense honest. We’ve got Qvale in the middle down there who’s been really tough to guard. So if they want to start double teaming those guys, that’s when we can kick it out and hit the outside shots and...  what can they do?

I’ve got to keep doing my best and take open shots when I get them. I don’t necessarily need to score, but if I get open shots I need to knock them down. If I don’t get open shots, then I need to get the ball to the guy who is open.

GJ: It looks like the Griz were almost in a position to blow the game open against Washington...
Staudacher: (nodding in agreement) It’s a part of the game when you’re on the road. We just needed to do a couple of things to close the game out. But we made a few mistakes here and there. If we could have kept our composure a little more and eliminated a couple of small mistakes, we could have had them. We weren’t rattled, I think we were a little frustrated... but it’s part of the game, so you can’t worry about it and go on.

GJ: Is there an attitude you’re going to have to take into this weekend?

Staudacher: I think so, definitely. This is league, these games count. The other games that led up to this were important, but this is what really matters for us and for this season, so we definitely need to crank things up.

ANTHONY JOHNSON, Senior point guard

GJ: It looked like you had the Washington Huskies in a panic, but they recovered. Was that something they did?
Johnson: We had 19 turnovers in the game against Washington and they made 24 points off of our turnovers. We’ve got to take care of the ball a little better in games like this. Me included. Between our point guards we had 10 turnovers. That’s atrocious to say the least. So, we’ve got to clean things up more.

In the Oregon game we kept our foot on the pedal the whole game through. Against Washington, we kind of panicked a little bit, lost our composure a little. Against Washington we didn’t do the same things we did against Oregon.

GJ: People are saying that you didn’t look intimidated against Washington.
Johnson: That’s how we have practiced from day one. We get it done in practice so the games are easy. Now, Washington is a great team, I want to give them all the respect in the world, but we weren’t scared of them or their ranking.

GJ: What are you going to ask of yourself now?
Johnson: I’m demanding more of myself as far as leadership is concerned. I’ve got to lead by example more. I’m turning the ball over way too much. It’s something that’s kind of plagued me through my whole basketball career. So, I’ve got to get on top of my turnovers. Also, I’m taking way too many three point shots. I’m best when I’m driving and penetrating and getting to the free throw line. As everybody saw Sunday, I didn’t get to the free throw line anytime, which was completely uncharacteristic of me. I’ve got to attack the basket more. We’re a better team with me attacking.

GJ: Are there any keys to success for all the players on this team?
Johnson: Of course. The coach talked today about the pressure being lifted off of me by other players on this team. We played Washington and I was, like 5-for-14 and we still had them by 10 in the game. That’s evidence right there that we have the keys and the tools to score the basketball all over the court. That’s a great thing... way better than we were last year.

All of our players are capable. "B..." Brian Qvale is playing like a maniac. He’s doing his thing. But a lot of other guys are coming into their own. I also told a lot of people from the beginning of the season that Will Cherry was going to turn a lot of heads, and he proved it against Washington. He grew up in that game.

GJ: So, what do the Griz need to to do succeed against tough teams in the final minutes of play to take your game to another level?
Johnson: When we get into the situations at the end of the game, we have to capitalize on taking advantage. Our shooters, we have two of the best shooters in the conference, and Ryan Staudacher is one of the best shooters in the nation. He’s proven that over his time here. So, when we get into those situations against good teams, you’ve got to make them pay. Unfortunately the ball just didn’t go in against Washington. It wasn’t our night. But we think that we’re playing at a Pac 10 level right now. And regardless of whether or not we won that game, we feel that We’ve got the intensity to play at that level.

GJ: What do the Grizzlies need to focus on to ensure success against two tough teams in conference play?
Johnson: First, we’ve got to have a great week of practice, that’s really where the tone is set for us.. Then, in the game, we need to limit our turnovers and take care of the ball. Then we need to get the ball into the places where we can score. As far as defense, it’s up to us to keep up the level of play we’ve been doing. Against Washington, we executed on defense really, really well so that’s a mentality we’ve got to keep going.

Are there lessons to learn from Montana's 63-59 loss to the Huskies?

There’s little to doubt that the referees who called the Montana - Washington Division I men’s basketball game in Seattle Sunday – a nail-biter of a 63-59 win by the Huskies –  were good. They were good. No doubt.

Only the very best refs in the game know how to turn the flow of a game with the kind of calls that reverse team possession... usually by an offensive turnover or an offensive foul, without making the calls look like a blatant ‘homer’ job.

It is, after all the most logical way to describe at least half of Montana’s 19 turnovers Sunday. Dare we mention Washington's 26 free throw attempts compared to Montana's eight?

Combine those calls with the equally mysterious no-call of several blatant traveling offenses made by the home team, and you can certainly tilt the flow of a game. I don’t know whether these were Pac 10 referees (I hope not) or local referees looking to work their way into the Pac 10 officials’ rotation. But that six minute stretch would be good enough for a referee’s clinic.

But, given the circumstances, and the arena, I just didn’t expect to see things unfold as they did.

Because, in NCAA Division I basketball, when a game is widely broadcast on television (this time Fox SportsNW), who would expect it to happen?

This game took place under the lights and in the arena of the Pac 10’s hottest team, where the pre-game analysis focused on how much the 90-point-per-game-scoring Huskies would win by. Not whether they’d have to battle for every possession against an upstart Big Sky Conference team.

There’s no doubt that the word will probably get out about what happened Sunday. By then, we’ll all have moved on, with the Huskies still undefeated and nationally ranked.

Ironically, the people who could have explained what happened, didn’t. That's also a surprise.

Color analysts of the Fox Sports telecast were tacitly non-committal. You could tell by their verbal pauses and fumbles that they knew what was happening. In fact, the game’s color announcer at one point described Griz frosh Mathias Ward’s mysteriously questionable offensive foul as exactly that, before he re-worded his description to make it look like Ward’s foul was a freshman mistake.

Too bad. But... still, in retrospect, the announcer couldn’t have changed what was happening on the floor. It’s just that he came so close to explaining the scenario.

By the time the Huskies had ‘miraculously’ turned the flow of the game from a 12-point deficit to Montana to a seven-point lead with just under four minutes to play, the damage was done.

Ironically, even then what happened was almost not enough to help the Huskies. Down by seven, with 5:05 remaining, the Griz battled back, took a one-point lead, and later tied it before eventually falling behind again over the final 90 seconds.

That means, I guess, that it’s also correct to say the Griz, with a win still within grasp, couldn’t quite make the plays when they needed them.

This time the Griz committed three costly, unforced turnovers.

And they missed several open shots. Just barely. Final-minute misses by Anthony Johnson, Ryan Staudacher and Brian Qvale – three of them which I swear went entirely into the hoop before caroming out – could still have given the Griz the win.

A very hoarse Montana coach Wayne Tinkle in his post-game interview, didn’t want to describe the loss as something to learn from. How does a team learn from something like that? Well, good teams can, and do.

Regardless of what a coach or player will say in denying that lessons can be learned from losses like this, they can. That’s because good teams have to be ready to play against more than just the five opposing players. They have to be prepared to do what they can to counteract mystery calls in the same way they do other factors that make playing on another team’s home court more difficult than a game on a neutral court.

And so, this was a ‘good kind of’ loss for the Griz, because they played well enough to win. Lessons about how to prevent it from happening again can be learned.

Since there is solid proof on the game video of Montana’s steady improvement on defense, and offense. Several positive developments Sunday indicate the potential to transform Montana into a solid favorite as Big Sky play begins Friday against Northern Arizona.

For example:

• Brian Qvale took another giant step toward being becoming a dominant force in the paint on offense and defense, with 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocked shots. Wow.

• Freshman Will Cherry turned into a big-time player with the ability to control games. The super frosh scored 15 points and proved himself on the court, despite turning the ball over six times. As he develops his game, things will start opening up for senior Anthony Johnson, who has been doubled and hounded in games of late. The maturity of Will Cherry instantly makes Montana a much better team.

• And Montana’s bench play was truly top level, with Derek Selvig, Michael Taylor, Ward, Vanny Bassy and Shawn Stockton providing quality play in limited minutes. When junior Raason Young relaxes, Montana will truly be multi-dimensional.

So, yeah, teams can learn from games like this. Here’s hoping that Montana will.

Nonetheless, they can’t think too much about this loss. Montana jumps into league play on Friday against Northern Arizona and on Saturday against the legitimate Northern Colorado Bears.
 
From here on, the games just keep getting more important. From here on, Montana players will have to figure out how to rise above factors -- whatever or whoever -- that unexpectedly change the flow of the game.

The best teams do. I have a feeling Montana will.

Big Sky report, Nov. 27: Bears, Hornets stir-up the ranks

BIG SKY CONFERENCE REPORT – November 27, 2009
By Glenn Junkert – www.grizzlyjournal.com

1. Northern Colorado        5-0     Hot. Mid Major hot!  
2. Montana                        4-1    Q-factor: The return of Griz post power      
3. Sacramento State          3-3    ... and finally out of the cellar   
4. Montana State               2-2    Did the Cats find their game in San Francisco?
5. Northern Arizona          2-2    Jacks’ chase the ghosts of last year's ghastly past
6. Eastern Washington       2-3    Eagles need one more horse like Moore
7. Portland State              1-3     Where’s the D?    
8. Weber State                 1-3     Will Cats go 0 for Utah?  
9. Idaho State                  1-4     Bengals' nonconference schedule is long & treacherous

RPI BOOSTERS
1. Northern Colorado – Earned a Mid Major Poll rank of 25th with championships in both the Rainbow Classic and the Reggie Minton Air Force Classic and are currently ranked 69th in the USA Today Sagarin Ratings.
2. Sacramento State – Defeated Oregon State 65-63 in Corvallis, Oregon.
3. Montana – Defeated Oregon 68-55 in Portland.

EYE-OPENERS
Early results in the Big Sky indicate a return to parity after several seasons of distinct “upper-lower division split.” PROOF: perennial bottom-feeder CSU Sacramento, under the reins of second-year coach (and Sac State alum) Brian Katz, is 3-3 with an impressive 65-63 win at Oregon State and a decent showing at Idaho. Katz’ rebuilding project of a decimated Hornet program appears decidedly ahead of schedule.

RAMP IT UP
The early-season story in the Big Sky has been the play of Tad Boyle’s Northern Colorado (UNC) Bears, 5-0 so far and facing a solid opportunity to open Big Sky Conference play undefeated (Dec. 4 at Montana State), with a “should-win” game at North Dakota tonight and a home-court match against Colorado State (3-2) Dec. 1. Boyle’s Bears play an exciting, super-charged open-court game unique to the Big Sky and, With the right cogs in place, could further flip the upper-lower tier split of past years. The Bears – who lead the conference in steals, turnover margin, FG%, and scoring margin... and are 2nd in four other categories – are dropping not-so-subtle hints that this may be their year.

SCHEDULE BACKLASH?

After repeated edicts by the Big Sky front office in 2004 to strengthen nonconference schedules, most programs responded, adding road contests against Top-50 Div. 1 schools, the most visible results being numerous losing records entering conference play of late. But can a tough schedule be too much?  Last season Northern Arizona seemed to implode after playing one of the toughest Division 1 pre-conference slates.

PHOTOS: Montana center Brian Qvale (top) is evoking the great Montana centers of the past 30 years with his fast start. (Middle)  Montana freshman guard Will Cherry has given Montana quickness and three-guard lineup defensive versatility. (Bottom) Anthony Johnson has picked up the pace from last year's all-region performance. Can Montana's other guards give him the backup support to catch a breather now and then?

This year it could be Joe O’Brien's Idaho State Bengals, who tipped-off the season with losses at Iowa State, Bradley, BYU and a blowout thumping at Utah State (road weary?). It doesn’t get any easier as the Bengals face a daunting FIVE of their next six non-conference tiffs in hostile Division 1 arenas.

SETBACKS
Last Season Portland State stunned Gonzaga in Spokane and ALMOST picked another early season plum with a one-point 84-83 loss at Washington. No such luck his year, as the Big Sky’s defending NCAA qualifier was swept by Belmont, Wright State and those very same Huskies at the Athletes In Action Classic in Seattle. This year the Huskies left nothing to chance, humiliating the Viks with a 111-55 setback. Northern Arizona lost out on an early opportunity to notch an early home-court win against the tough Pacific Tigers when a power outage halted play at the 8:01 mark with the Jacks leading, 45-43. The game was eventually suspended with no winner declared. But NAU is much improved over last year and primed to erase the ghosts of last year’s ghastly collapse. The Weber State Wildcats remain the consensus team to beat in the Big Sky. But the Cats are in danger of getting swept by in-state foes Utah State, BYU and Utah... something that doesn’t happen very often. Their best chance for a W appears to be  Dec. 2 when they host Utah.

TAKING A BEATING
Montana senior point guard Anthony Johnson – who was widely considered the best player in the Big Sky last year, despite not being named MVP – has taken up where he left off last year. Johnson already leads the league in scoring average (22.0 ppg.), free throws (46 through 5 games), FT% (93%)... and minutes played. How do you stop him? Last year no team could. So... Johnson was punished with a lot of very hard fouls. This season, stats show the pattern repeating. Johnson has already shot 46 ‘throws’ in five games, and has been fouled extra hard in the late minutes of several games, which included a push that catapulted him across the scorers’ bench in Montana’s win over Boise State. How much is too much? Here’s hoping Big Sky referees (vastly improved over the past two seasons) recognize the pattern and react accordingly.

BOLD IN THE BLOCKS
Eastern Washington senior center Brandon Moore has been a force in the blocks so far this season, posting an 11.2 pg rebounding average, well ahead of ISU’s Demitrius Moore (8.8) and Montana’s Brian Qvale (7.6). Will Moore give the Eagles enough post presence to compete in the Big Sky this year?  Qvale, meanwhile, has Montana fans evoking the names of Montana’s hall of fame centers. You know: McKenzie, McBride, Krystkowiak, Vanek, Engellant. The junior from Montana has shown his mettle – and hints of his potential – early. Qvale has a league-best field goal percentage (78%, 10 ppg) and blocked shots (10 in five games). His imposing defensive presence in mid-key has helped make Montana by far the best defensive team in the Big Sky this year.

LOOKNG FORWARD – SO EARLY, SO CRITICAL
In an effort to juggle conference schedules to accommodate second semester schedule conflicts, Big Sky conference play tips off next week for eight schools, with the ninth, Idaho State, playing at Sac State on Dec. 19... all before league play resumes for good Dec. 31. Compared with last season’s skewed schedule mess, this year’s extra-early league tip-off reveals a semblance of fairness. Still: which ‘Sky teams would want to prep for a critical conference road trip the first week in December? And who wants to risk the prospects of a home-court league loss so early in the “pre” season?

GRIZ NOTES
COLD WINGS: Montana coach Wayne Tinkle has addressed the obvious repeatedly over the past three years: The Giz need improved offensive production from their wing position if they hope to contend for the Big Sky Conference title. Despite the recruitment of promising jc transfer Raason Young, results have so far been inconclusive. Young flashed signs of that potential with 22 points on 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Since then he’s scored a total of 10 points over three games. Add to to Young’s woes shooting guard Ryan Staudacher’s slow offensive start and Tinkle finds himself with the same old vexing puzzle. Freshman Will Cherry started in Young’s place against Oregon, but that was probably because Tinkle knew Montana would need Cherry’s ball-handling and defensive skills aganst the Ducks’ pressure. Until Montana can get production from either or both Young and Staudacher, the Griz can expect defenses to collapse around Johnson and junior post Brian Qvale. The potential is there. Tinkle can only hope his wings gain enough confidence to heat things up from the elbow and the corner. Soon.

Big Sky 'Player of Week,' Johnson assuming solid leadership role

Montana Grizzlies senior point guard Anthony Johnson justifiably earned the Big Sky Conference's first "Player of the Week" award of the season for his role leading the Montana Grizzlies to the championship of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invitational last week.

The stats for his achievement bear that out, as you can read in the official press release HERE.

But Johnson's play as senior leader is perhaps just as important. That's because the Grizzlies have struggled to annoint a team leader over the past several seasons. Oh, there were candidates, but some failed to step up while others simply weren't interested.<a name="7615694165"></a>

Just how much impact Johnson will have is yet to be seen. But he exudes confidence on and off the court, is an eloquent spokesman with knowledge of Montana's basketball tradition, and is willing to accept responsibility for Montana's off games.

That leadership was evident in all three Montana victories over the weekend (61-37 over North Dakota, 95-82 over Boise State and 64-63 over Loyola Marymount), particularly his on-court demeanor over the final 10 minutes of Montana's 13-point win over the Broncos.

The uptempo Broncos pressured Johnson hard, and -- in an effort to get back into the game over the final minutes -- fouled Johnson hard as well. Johnson's response? Calm in the face of the storm. The senior leader netted 14-of-14 free throws, eight of them over the final 1:17 of the game.

Of course, there was that crucial turnover in the final 10 seconds of Montana's one-point win over Loyola Marymount. For that errant pass, Johnson also assumed full responsibility (another sign of leadership), indicating that Montana's overall play under full-court pressure was his job to improve.

Grizzly Journal got some of Johnson's post-tourney analysis to reporters after the one-point win. 

See for yourself here:

FIRST WEEK NOTES: It's been awhile, but Montana received votes in the season's first MID MAJOR TOP 25 poll, dated Nov. 23. The Grizzlies received 33 votes, not enough for top-25 ranking, but at 38th, ranked three votes ahead of Weber State, the only other Big Sky Conference school in the ranking. Montana's three wins was enough to move them up in the USA Today Sagarin Rankings.. to 157, also tops among Big Sky Schools. Portland State is at 160, followed by Weber State at 164.

Is it too early to study RPI numbers? Yep. Particularly since the Griz face a monstrous three-game road trip that starts at the University of Denver on Nov. 19, and continues with games at Oregon (Sagarin ranked at 69) and Washington, ranked 14th in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25.

I've seen and heard a lot of antics form college coaches over the years... A lot of unseemly and downright obscene language as well. But rarely have I heard anything like what Loyola Marymount coach Max Good shouted in a moment of frustration during the first half of Montana's 64-63 win over Good's Lions. After several instances of jersey-grabbing by Montana defenders, Good jumped up, paced back and forth, yanked at his own bright yellow tie in frustration, then complained to a referee. And then Good turned toward his players on court and yelled, "The next time they grab your jersey, break their arm!" He repeated that statement until a ref walked over to calm him down. What was interesting is that Good's players -- though very aggressive defensively -- played a very clean game with very little fouling throughout the tense contest. In fact, I was quite impressed by the Lions, which were picked last in preseason West Coast Conference polls. I wouldn't be surprised to see this team, very well coached by Good, move up in the WCC this year. The teams have home-and-home games this year. The Griz visit Marymount December 10. The Lions are a perfect Division I foe for getting Montana ready for Big Sky Conference play. No Big Sky team plays full-court pressure quite like the Lions.

Montana Grizzly Invitational Photo Slide Show

Photos of the four-game Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invitational are now posted. The six game invitational featured the host Montana Grizzlies, the Boise State Broncos, the North Dakota Fighting Sioux and the Loyola Marymount Lions.

Montana won the round robin tourney, defeating North Dakota 61-37, Boise State 95-82, and Loyola Marymount 64-63.

While most photos feature the Grizzlies in action against their three opponents, there are also several photos from games between the three visiting schools.

CLICK PHOTO TO ACCESS SLIDE SHOW.

Grizzly Journal video interview of Montana center Brian Qvale

Montana junior center Brian Qvale was named to the all-tourney team of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invitational after the Grizzlies edged Loyola Marymont 64-63 in the final game of the tourney.

Qvale scored 16 points and had four rebounds and two blocks against Marymount in Sunday's game. That followed 12 points, 8 rebounds and three blocks notched against Boise State on Saturday and 3 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in Friday's 61-37 win over North Dakota.

Montana coach Wayne Tinkle pointed to Qvale’s play as a major factor in all three Montana tourney wins.

“I tell you, he’s playing with so much confidence. The weight of the world is off his shoulders. He knows that we want to get him the ball. He knows that we expect to get results.

“We said it as a staff that it’s just a matter of him early on having that game that just smashes the ice,” said Tinkle.

Grizzly Journal interviewed Qvale after Sunday's win over the Lions.

Click play to view the video.

Ball bounces Montana's way: Griz edge Loyola Marymount 64-63

At the end -- the final 9.1 seconds, actually -- the Montana Grizzlies’ 64-63 nail-biter over Loyola Marymount came down to a missed point-blank Lions’ shot. Or three, or four... before the Grizzlies bobbed and bounced in glee at the final buzzer in the Karl Tyler Montana Grizzly Invitational championship-game win Sunday.

The wild final seconds were preceeded by a bizarre 20 seconds that saw a seemingly safe five-point Montana lead at the 32-second mark disappear when scrambling Marymont defenders intercepted three-straight Montana inbounds passes and converted two of them on quick layups.

The final volley of shots came after the third inbounds steal and a Marymount time out. When play resumed, the Lions held the ball for five seconds before forward Vernon Teel missed a short baseline jumper that bounced twice off the rim. In the scramble underneath, Lions’ rebounders managed two or three more shots that floated over the rim or bounced off the backboard... but never into the hoop.

The final seconds were in some ways a mirror of the previous 39-plus minutes.The Lions attacked early and often with intense defensive pressure and kept it up throughout, but were never quite able to crack a Montana offense that used a patient passing attack -- directed by senior point guard Anthony Johnson --  that was always good enough to keep the Lions at bay.

Thus, Montana forged a one-point 28-27 halftime lead and so, with each team scoring 36 second half points, that sngle point was enough for the win.

Marymount stopped Montana’s offense early by shutting down the Griz’ outside game. Three point specialists Ryan Staudacher and Raason Young scored a combined measly five points after pacing Montana with 33 in the previous night’s win over Boise State.

Johnson had an answer, directing his Griz’ offensive flow into the paint that featured a display of post power from junior center Brian Qvale.

In fact, it was Montana’s knack at countering the Lions’ defensive pressure with a passing game that reversed the offensive flow for openings along the baseline, where center Qvale muscled up against his smaller defenders with 12 first-half points.

Montana coach Wayne Tinkle pointed to Qvale’s play as a major factor in all three Montana tourney wins.

“I tell you, he’s playing with so much confidence. The weight of the world is off his shoulders. He knows that we want to get him the ball. He knows that we expect to get results.

“We said it as a staff that it’s just a matter of him early on having that game that just smashes the ice,” said Tink.e

Qvale’s paint power, along with five points from Johnson and four from power forward Jack McGillis, was just enough for a halftime Griz lead.

Marymount responded in the second half by collapsing around Qvale.

PHOTOS: Brian Qvale (top) scores two of his 12 first half points. Qvale was named to the all-tourney team. Will Cherry (middle) scores on a layup from an assist by Anthony Johnson with 1:36 remaining. Cherry's bucket gave the Griz a four-point lead. Shawn Stockton (bottom) looks for a baseline opening. Stockton played 15 minutes and was credited by Tinkle for playing outstanding defense.

That was the opening that Johnson needed. Facing a single defensive opponent, Johnson erupted for 17 second half points, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc at the tip of the key.

The Grizzlies moved to leads of three or five points, but could not break away from the Lions, who narrowed the margin to 57-55 with 1:36 to play. After a volley of missed shots by both teams, Johnson found freshman guard Will Cherry open in the key for a driving layup, good enough for a four point margin that held up until the final 32 seconds of mayhem.

And the single-digit Montana win.

Tinkle focused on lessons learned.

“We talked about learning too many lessons with some losses in the past,” said Tinkle. “These guys set it up there. We’re building character, we’re learning lessons, but we’re putting check marks in that left hand column.”

But Tinkle said more work is needed on the defensive end of the floor.

“We’ve built (defensive) momentum off of the foundation we laid last year. We led the league in defense but with our increased athleticism and versatility we could step it up a notch...

“Tonight I think we could have stretched it out a little bit if we could have combined a good rebounding effort with that defensive intensity,” said Tinkle.

They’ll get a rematch. The Grizzlies travel to Los Angeles for a home-and-home contest on December 10.

Game statistics reveal a battle waged nearly to a standstill. The Lions shot 44 percent from the field compared to Montana’s 43 percent. The Lions outboarded Montana by 10, 239-29, but Montana converted 12-of-15 free throws compared to Marymount’s 7-of-14 and had five fewer turnovers and two more assists than the Lions.

Forward Drew Viney paced the Lions with 4-of-5 shots from three point range and 22 points. Guard Larry Davis scored 19 and Teel scored 11. 

Johnson was named tourney MVP and Qvale was named to the all star team. The Montana duo were joined by Marymount standouts Teel and Davis, North Dakota forward Patrick Mitchell and Boise State guard La’Shard Anderson.

Boise State pulls away from North Dakota, 75-60

The Boise State Broncos, behind 23 points from forward Paul Noonan and 11 points from reserve Montreal Daequon, pulled away from the North Dakota Fighting Sioux midway through the second half to post a 75-60 win in Sunday action of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invite.

The Broncos struggled early against North Dakota's zone defense. The Fighting Sioux forged a 32-32 halftime tie. Guard Travis Mertens scored 14 points and forward Spencer Goodman notched 10 for the Fighting Sioux.

Forward Patrick Mitchell, who was named to the all-tourney team, suffered an ankle injury and was played sparingly.

PHOTOS: Boise State forward Paul Noon grabs a rebound during Sunday's final action of the Montana Grizzly Invitational. Battling Noon for the rebound are Noth Dakota players Travis Mertens and Chris Clausen. Noonan Paced the Broncos with 22 points, including 6-of-11 from three point range. BELOW: North Dakota's Mertens and Jordan Allard pressure Broncos forward Daequon Montreal in second half action. Mertens (left) paced the Fighting Sioux with 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Broncos slapped a full-court press on North Dakota early in the second half, forced 22 Fighting Sioux turnovers, and built a 10 point lead, which they gradually built to 15 by the final buzzer.

The Broncos dominated the boards, 41-29, but shot comparable percentages from the field, with North Dakota at 46 percent and Boise State at 44 percent.

Also named to the all-tournament team was Boise State junior guard La’Shard Anderson.

Montana outlasts pugnacious Boise State Broncos 95-82

The Montana Grizzlies traded blows and surges with the lightning quick and physical Boise State Broncos, emerging as the decisive victor after withstanding a furious Bronco rally to claim a 95-82 win in the second round of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invitational Saturday.

Montana stands at 2-0 in the round-robin tourney, while the Broncos drop to 1-1 with the final day of the tourney scheduled for Sunday afternoon

The Loyola Marymount Lions evened their tourney record to 1-1 with a decisive 83-60 win over the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in Saturday’s first game.

Montana and the Lions face off in the final game of the Invite in Sunday’s final game.

The Grizzlies manufactured a balanced attack on all corners of the floor, getting productive offensive play from all five starters along with a solid 19-minute performance from sixth man Derek Selvig.

Led by point guard Anthony Johnson’s 25 points, Montana broke from a 10-point 52-42 halftime lead to claim a seemingly insurmountable 17 point lead on the strength of deadly accurate long-range shooting from wing Raason Young, who drilled 6-of-8 treys from both baseline corners.

When Young wasn’t hitting the bullseye, shooting forward Ryan Staudacher and power forward Jack McGillis were. Staudacher made 3-for-3 from downtown and McGillis sank 7-of-12, most of them coming from the tip of the key. Staudacher finished with 11 points and Mcgillis notched 15.

Montana’s perimeter production opened up the key, where Qvale had one of his most impressive performances as a Montana Grizzly, scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting power pivot moves, several of which left Broncos defenders glued to the floor.

Qvale added eight rebounds and blocked three shots to lead Montana to a 36-31 rebounding margin over the Broncos.

PHOTOS: Anthony Johnson (top) drives for two of his game-high 25 points during a critical late stretch where the Griz held off the charging Broncos. Brian Qvale (middle) scores off of one of several powerful pivot moves in the key. Qvale scored 12 points. Jack McGillis grabs one of his seven rebounds on the night, which he added to 15 points from midrange.

Nonetheless, the Grizzlies were caught off guard when the Broncos slapped a three quarter court trapping press and roared back from a 17-point deficit with a 21-4 run to tie the game with nearly eight minutes remaining in the contest.

Montana coach Wayne Tinkle said the Broncos rally was key to the Grizzlies’ victory.

“What it did was made our guys tentative, and we didn’t want that. They only trapped us twice and we beat it, but then we dribbled into trouble and just kind of lost our heads.

“We just told our guys to just relax... and our guys resonded. It was neat to see how resilient they were and that everybody stayed together through a tough run and we found a way to pull it out.”

Lightning quick point guard La’ Shard Anderson led the Broncos charge, scoring 16 points and dishing five assists for the Broncos, most of them during the Broncos charge. When Anderson wasn’t slashing to the basket, he was dishing to Broncos post Ike Okoye, who dominated the Broncos low key with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting.

That left the game in the balance, which was then soundly determined by the golden play of Montana’s all-everything all-American candidate point guard Johnson.

Once again Johnson was a force on the floor. Though he converted only 5-of-14 shots from the field, most were physically contested by the Broncos, who employed punishing defense against Johnson.

His response? Johnson converted 14-of-14 free throws, most of them over the final three minutes, which saw the Broncos send Johnson sprawling several times. The clincher was during the final minute of play, with the game out of reach, when Johnson was fouled so hard he hit the scorers table and slid past a row of surprised table offials and sports writers. Unfazed, Johnson walked to the line and converted 100 percent.

Nonetheless, it was Montana’s sterling play early in the second half that spelled the differnce. The Grizzlies ended up with a 54.2 scoring percentage from the field compared to Boise’s 46 percent, the most convincing state being Montana’s 12-of-20 from three-point range compared to the Broncos’ 2-of-10.

 And, despite getting whistled for 20 fouls, Montana converted at the line when the game was on the line, ending up with 19-of-25 free throws... 14 of them of course belonging to Johnson.

Montana will face yet another uptempo pressing team in the Loyola Marymount Lions Sunday. With theit 16 steals against North Dakota, the Lions will present a different kind of high pressure test for Montana.

Loyola Marymount Pummels North Dakota 83-60

The Loyola Marymount Lions pounced early, humbling the North Dakota Fighting Sioux in an 83-60 pummeling at the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Montana Grizzly Invitational during the second day of round-robin action Saturday.

 
The Lions had four starters reach double figures in scoring, but six bench players also saw considerable action. 

The Lions forced 18 North Dakota turnovers, with 16 of those turnovers outright steals. On the offensive end, the Lions notched 21 assists and outrebounded North Dakota 32-25.

Loyola Marymount led by 17 at halftime and quickly extended the lead with deadly shooting from all areas of the court, including a blistering 9-for-20 beyond the arc. The Lions shot 54.5 percent from the field while holding North Dakota to 43 percent. 

Guard Vernon Teel scored 15, followed by 12 from Jarred DuBois. Forward Patrick Mitchell scored 16 for the Fighting Sioux, while reserve Spencer Goodman scored 11.

North Dakota, now 0-2 in the tourney, faces the Boise State Broncos, 95-82 losers to Montana in Saturday’s nightcap, in Sunday’s final round.

Anthony Johnson comments on Griz 61-37 win over North Dakota

Watch Grizzly Journal's post-game video interview with Montana senior point guard Anthony Johnson. Montana's all-conference point guard scored 20 points and dished six assists to lead Montana past North Dakota 61-37.

Watch and listen as Johnson provides post-game analysis of Montana's victory and looks forward to the Griz' game against the Boise State Broncos, 90-87 victors over Loyola Marymount.

Note: This is our first-ever video interview. Apologies for the tight crop at the beginning and the sloppy ending. We'll get better at this!

Check out this video.

Second half surge propels Montana to a 61-37 win over North Dakota

It might have been a case of first-game, first half jitters. Or a tougher than expected North Dakota defense.

Whatever the reason, it took the Montana Grizzlies almost the entire first half to eke out a 24-22 first half lead over the Fighting Sioux in what eventually became a 61-37 walkaway in the second game of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Grizzly Basketball Tournament Friday.

The Boise State Broncos edged the Loyola Marymount Lions 90-87 in the first game of the weekend round robin tourney.

Senior point guard Anthony Johnson picked up where he finished last season, literally carrying the Griz by scoring 16 of Montana’s 24 first-half points on slashing drives into the middle of the North Dakota defense.

But perhaps freshman reserve center Mathias Ward gave the Griz the boost they needed, scoring four points off of the bench in a stretch that saw the Grizzlies grab a slim lead for the first time in the contest.

The rest of the Montana offense was icy. Besides Johnson’s 6-for-8 shooting and Ward’s 2-for-2 success, the rest of Montana’s shooters were a combined 1-for-13.

PHOTOS: Montana point guard Anthony Johnson (fop) slices through the North Dakota defense for two of his game-high 20 points. Johnson also had six asssts. Freshman post Mathias Ward (middle) posts up for two of his four first half points, which sparked the Griz to a slim lead. Brian Qvale (bottom) snares a rebound in second half play. The North Dakota native scored four points, had four rebounds and had three blocks on the night.

The second half was a different story, however, as Johnson traded points for assists, and the result was a stunning turnaround for Montana’s perimeter shooters, who finished the game with 11-for-24 from long range, after making only 2-of 10 in the first half.

The main recipient of Johnson’s game-high six assists (all notched in the second half) was Montana shooting guard Ryan Staudacher, who nailed 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

And when North Dakota defenders rotated their zone to cover Staudacher, Johnson found forwards Jack McGillis or Raason Young on the opposite corner. Young made at three of his second-half treys while McGillis nailed two of his three shots from beyond the arc.

The result broke the flood gates and Montana broke away for what would become an easy 24-point win.

The awakened Montana offense was merely part of the Grizzlies’ success story. Unnoticed in the physical battle was Montana’s game-long lockdown defense against North Dakota.

An aggressive man-on Montana defense suffocated North Dakota’s second-half defense, holding the Fighting Sioux to 26.9 percent and a measly 32.6 percent on the game.

Montana --  behind 10 rebounds by reserve power forward Vassy Banny and four each from McGillis, Staudacher, Johnson and junior post Brian Qvale --  outboarded North Dakota 33-29.

The 37 points by North Dakota is one of the lowest full-game totals by a Montana opponent over the past 30 years.

Another telling indicator of the game flow was the teams’ assist-to-turnover ratios. North Dakota notched only six assists while Montana forced 18 Fighting Sioux turnovers. On the other end of the floor the Griz dished 11 assists while turning the ball over a respectable 12 times.

Qvale was a monster in the middle, blocking three shots and affecting several others.

Sophomore power forward Derek Selvig returned from a foot injury to log seven productive minutes. Junior guard Michael Taylor did not suit up because of injury

North Dakota now faces Loyola Marymount, 90-87 losers to Boise State in the first game, in Saturday’s early game. Montana will face Boise State in the Saturday nightcap.

Boise State edges Loyola Marymount 90-87

The Boise State Broncos, behind La'Shard Anderson's 26 points, fought off three Loyola Marymount rallies to claim a 90-87 victory in the opening game of the Karl Tyler Chevrolet Grizzly Basketball Tournament Friday.

The Broncos, who led most of the game, broke from a 45-45 halftime tie to lead by as many as nine points midway through the half.

Three other Broncos starters joined Anderson in double-figure scoring. Forward Paul Noonan and guard Kurt Cunningham scored 16 while center Ike Okoye scored 10.

PHOTO: Boise State guard La'Shard Anderson is fouled by Loyola Marymount's Jared Dubois on a second-half breakaway layup attempt. Anderson, who paced the Broncos with 26 points, made both freethrows. Dubois scored 11 points for Marymount.

Reserve Larry Davis paced Marymount with 22 points, volloewd by 17 from Vernon Teel and 16 from Kevin Young.

The fast paced, high octane game saw the Broncos hit 50 percent of their shots from the field while Marymount shot 48.5 percent.

The Broncos meet the host Montana Grizzlies - 61-37 nightcap winners over North Dakota - Saturday while Marymount faces North Dakota in the first game Saturday.

The teams fought on even terms, both in scoring and statistically. Marymount outrebounded the Broncos 36-35, but Marymount had two fewer turnovers than the Broncos (14-16).

After shaky preason, Big Sky basketball squads face tough early schedule

An interesting set of shaky exhibition debuts -- including a home-court loss by Northern Arizona -- from several Big Sky Conference teams as they “tuned-up” for the first counting games of the 09-10 season.

The Lumberjacks were dumped 75-65 by visiting Fort Lewis College. The contest was never close, as Fort Lewis jumped to a 13-2 lead and led throughout.

Elsewhere, the Idaho State Bengals, Weber State Wildcats, Montana State Bobcats and Eastern Washington Eagles struggled as well.

The Bengals got a game-tying trey from Broderick Gilchrest before beating UC-Colorado Springs 93-87 in overtime.

The Wildcats trailed Colorado Christian University 32-21 at halftime before rebounding for a solid second half and a 75-65 win.

PHOTO: Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson will attempt to lead the Grizzlies to their third NCAA post-season of the decade, starting Friday. Johnson says the key will be increased quickness on offense and defense.
"Last year, I think we didn't have as many weapons," said Johnson. "Our fast break we seriously lacked in transition... This year, we're trying to speed things up and get it up and down. We have the personnel to do so."

The Eagles led Division II Montana State Billings 32-30 at halftime, finally breaking a 50-50 tie before edging MSUB 67-58.

Finally, the Bobcats “cruised” to an 82-68 win over the University of Saskatchewan after trailing Saskatchewan through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Cats led 39-38 at the half.

Montana, which beat Lewis and Clark State by 29, had a challenge as well, struggling to a 34-28 halftime lead before pulling away from the Warriors early in the second half.

Three other Big Sky teams -- Northern Colorado, Sacramento State and Portland State -- won by wide margins.

What’s it all mean? Probably nothing.

Except for the eyebrow-raising loss by the Lumberjacks, whose coach Mike Adras blamed the loss on poor team conditioning. Hmmm.

But Friday all games count, as seven of the nine Big Sky schools tip off the season with the other two in action Saturday.

The toughest opener? Perhaps Weber State against Stew Morrill’s Utah State Aggies, which are picked to win the WAC again this year. But the Wildcats are at home, primed to repeat as Big Sky champs. A win would confirm them as conference  favorites and might be a nice early season RPI investment for later in the season.

Other tough tip offs? Montana State travels to Nevada, picked third in the WAC. Idaho State travels to Iowa State, Sac State is at Rice. But early predictions indicate that the Cyclones and Owls are down this year and... perhaps beatable.

Portland State is in Seattle for the four-team Athletes in Action round-robin tourney hosted by the University of Washington (picked first in the PAC 10 and slated as a top-25 team nationally). The Vikings start with Belmont, before facing a tough Wright State squad (picked second in the Horizon League) and the Huskies in a game to be televised on Fox Sports NW. Two wins by the Viks would cast them as conference contenders. Three? Nah.

A win, or even a good game, by Eastern Washington against the visiting Portland Pilots (picked second behind Gonzaga in the WCC) would raise the Eagles’ stock. The Pilots are the same team (now as seniors) tha beat the Griz in Missoula two years ago, and won 19 last season. This is a good early season test for Kirk Earlywine’s jc transfer-loaded squad.

Montana hosts its own four-team round robin tourney in Missoula starting Friday, hosting North Dakota, Boise State and Loyola Marymount. The Fighting Sioux are rebuilding after a 16-win season. Marymount, 3-28 last year, plays intense pressure-D and should be improved, though still slated to finish last in the WCC.

The Broncos, picked to finish in the upper-tier of the tough WAC, return four starters from last year’s 19-win team, and are very well coached. This is a perfectly scheduled early season test for Montana. There’ll be no gimmes. A three-game sweep  -- difficult but not out of question -- would cast the Griz as Big Sky contenders in a league whose first conference games are a mere three weeks down the schedule.

Northern Colorado travels to Hawaii for three games in the Rainbow Classic. The Bears face two beatable squads in McNeese State and Southern Utah. Make that three, as the host Rainbow Warriors, picked dead last in the WAC, are experienced, but still vulnerable.

It’s odd to think that Northern Arizona coach Mike Adras will face a must-win game so early in the season. But after last season’s Lumberjack collapse, and an exhibition loss last week to Fort Lewis State, Adras will want his team to solidify in time to beat visiting Southwestern College. It just gets harder from there as the Jacks head to Tucson to face Arizona.

New-look Grizzlies dismantle Lewis and Clark State, 82-53

The Montana Grizzlies played a pre-season game against Lewis & Clark State of Lewiston, Idaho on Friday night... which they won 82-53.

But of much more importance than the win against the overmatched Warriors, were the early signs of a Montana team that is vastly changed from last year’s third place Big Sky Conference finishers. And as such is a team bristling with the promise as a serious Big Sky contender.

The evidence was in the stats. Montana’s defense forced 18 Warriors’ turnovers, while nabbing nine outright steals. On the other end Montana reversed a year-long trend of soft assist-to-turnover stats with a sparkling 17-to10 assist-to turnover ratio on the night. It didn’t hurt that Montana shot 60.6 percent from the field in the second half runaway, triggered by some surprising full-court pressure defense.

Senior point guard and All-America candidate Anthony Johnson notched nine of the team’s 17 assists to go along with his game-high 19 points. But Johnson was ably supported by freshman guard Will Cherry, who showed flashes of brilliance with stellar play at both ends of the floor, finishing with 10 points, three assists and only two turnovers.

Senior Jack McGillis -- playing most of the night at power forward in the absence of injured Derek Selvig -- scored 15 points on a variety of his patented herky-jerky bulldog drives, while senior sharpshooter Ryan Staudacher scored 10 on 4-of-9 conversions from long range. The remainder of the equally promising Griz frontcourt -- forwards Raason Young (8) and frosh Mathias Ward (7) and junior post Brian Qvale (7)  -- helped the Griz dominate inside. They also helped to contribute to a 40-29 Montana margin on the boards, led by Qvale’s 10 and Young’s 8.

Sophomore point guard Shawn Stockton scored points with productive minutes behind Johnson and Cherry, and senior forward Vassy Banny, still recovering from a knee injury, scored two points while snaring six rebounds.

Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle -- who’s seen Selvig and freshman forward Eric Hutchison felled by serious foot injuries, and junior off-guard Michael Taylor hobbled with a shoulder injury -- couldn’t hide his pleasure or his surprise at Montana’s solid play.

Johnson is a known quantity and has capable assumed his role as a vocal team leader. But Cherry’s easy assumption as a backup floor general is a promising sign for a Montana team that’s struggled to find confident floor leaders.

It’s not a matter of wishful thinking to predict that this year’s Griz have the potential to be a much improved team from last season. Simply put, they’re faster and quicker on both ends of the court.

A natural result of that team-wide quickness are a variety of full-court and half-court defensive pressure strategies, which Montana briefly unveiled over a short second half span. The pressure D quickly expanded Montana’s lead to the final 29-point margin. Montana fans haven’t seen effective pressure D from Montana since its 2006 championship season. Full court man pressure is exactly what Cherry relishes. (more on Cherry tomorrow and Sunday)

Once the Griz can harness that raw power, they’ll have the tools to compete with most -- if not all -- the teams on their non-conference schedule this year.

Tinkle said he recruited specifically to inject physical quickness into his squad. Still, he seemed mildly surprised in the post-game interview, that the Griz full-court defense, including two zone traps, worked so quickly and so efficiently. He said the squad had only worked on the pressure D for a day.

Newcomers Raason Young and Will Cherry had a lot to do with Montana’s defense. Cherry was most impressive, displaying the ability to force ballhandlers away from their offense and, in several cases disrupt passing lanes. Young is still struggling with his perimeter defense, but played efficient baseline defense.

Forward Tanner McIntosh scored 15 points for the Warriors while senior post James Craft scored 13.

Montana now turns its attention to the beginning of nonconference play when they host their own Karl Tyler Chevrolet Tourney next weekend. The Griz tip off against North Dakota on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

Montana Grizzly Hoops: Best Photos of 2009

In a brief look back at Montana's 2008-2009 season, I've posted my best/favorite Griz-in-action photos from last season. Hope you enjoy them.

Will Raason Young provide the answer for Montana's wing woes?

One reason diehard Montana Grizzly fans were buzzing after Montana’s first public scrimmage of the new season Tuesday was the play of Raason Young, a junior college transfer from Hagerston Community College in Washington, D. C.

Young’s debut as a Griz was impressive, as he scored 18 points from the wing position behind senior guard Anthony Johnson’s game-high 25. His play also means that Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle has finally added depth to a position that’s been thin (to say the least) for the past three years.

PHOTO RIGHT: Raason Young defends against sophomore point guard Shawn Stockton in Montana's first public scrimmage.

Two years ago the Griz lost a promising JC wing recruit mere weeks before the season began and struggled without success to fill the position. Last year, Oregon State transfer (and Missoula native) Jack McGillis stepped into the role.

McGillis, an explosive true small forward, played the position capably last season. But when McGillis got into foul trouble or needed a breather, Tinkle struggled to find the right combo of reserves to step up.

One scrimmage is certainly not enough to say with certainty that Young is the solution to Montana’s wing frustrations. But if Young can consistently fill the lines of a stat sheet like he did Tuesday, then the Griz will be solidly two deep at every position except post, where a rotation of players will still be necessary.

PHOTO RIGHT: Young scores two points over Montana post Brian Qvale after a quick reverse baseline drive. Frosh forward Mathias Ward looks on.

Young’s 18-points of offense was only part of the story. That 12 of those points came from a slick, quick-trigger, high-release, long-range shot might instantly transform the Griz into a potentially lethal long range shooting team from four of the five positions on the floor (more about those players later).

Just as impressive was Young’s lateral quickness on defense and on several slashing baseline dribble enter drives from the elbow on early offense.

Young was the only Griz player who -- on defense -- could keep up with Johnson. But, as Tinkle said post-game, he still needs work on D. But Young has the physical frame and lateral quickness of an exceptional defensive player and should make strides under the tutelage of Tinkle and assistant coach Bill Evans.

There’s time. With the season opener still three weeks distant, there’s time for Young to work his way into a role in tandem with McGillis. If he does, the Montana Grizzlies will have the depth and versatility to contend for the Big Sky Crown.

Johnson & Johnson pace Griz, Lady Griz pre-season scrimmages

The husband-wife duo of Anthony Johnson and Shaunte Nance-Johnson made the headlines in their teams’ initial outing of the 2009 Montana basketball season, but it was exceptional team depth -- some of it surprising -- that may write the complete story of the two teams as the season progresses.

The senior guard Johnson duo provided the marquee storylines for the initial public scrimmage by the Montana Grizzlies and Montana Lady Griz 2009-10 basketball teams Tuesday.  Both squads have been tabbed in most pre-season polls to finish their respective Big Sky Conferences in second place.

PHOTO: Montana senior guard Anthony Johnson drives through the lane for two of his game-high 25 points.

Anthony Johnson scored 25 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line for the Griz, while Shaunte started at point for the Lady Griz maroon squad, notching 19 points on two assists and 2-for-2 shooting at the free throw line.

But AJ got stellar support from junior college newcomer, Raason Young, in the wing position. Young scored 18 points with 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the three point line and sent an early signal that he’ll vie for playing time at wing for the Griz.

Johnson, who has been billed as a pre-season All-America candidate, flashed the on-court brilliance Griz fans got accustomed to last season, slicing quickly into the key on his patented slashing drives or pulling up quickly for smooth midrange jumpers.

But Young’s shooting touch and heady man-on defense had scrimmage viewers buzzing. The lanky 6’-5” wing has a high and quick shot release that’s difficult to defend. That shooting touch shows promises to invigorate Montana’s perimeter offense from the wing position this year.

The Grizzlies got balanced scoring from a several players expected to contribute during the year. Senior shooting guard Ryan Staudacher (15), senior wing Jack McGillis (12), sophomore power forward Derek Selvig (15) and junior center Brian Qvale (10) notched double digits for the Griz.

Junior shooting guard Michael Taylor scored eight points and logged a solid floor game while sophomore point guard Shawn Stockton -- who played much of the game at point opposite Johnson --  scored nine points and dished four assists.

Nance-Johnson stepped into her role as the Lady Griz point guard for the season. Nance-Johnson’s 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting led both squads. Senior shooting forward Lauren Beck scored 12 points on three treys, while junior forward Sarah Ena scored 11 points and cleared seven rebounds.

PHOTO: Montana Lady Griz senior guard Shaunte Nance-Johnson drives through the lane for two of her game-high 19 points.

But a group of impressive freshman logged aggressive games, validating pre-season poll-pickers for ranking the very young Lady Griz squad so high. Forward Alyssa Smith (13), forward Katie Baker (11), guard-forward Kenzie De Boer (13), and redshirt guard Ashley Ferda (8) played outstanding floor games in support of upper class players Stephanie Stender, Jessa Linford, Misty Atkinson and Shadra Robison, who they may well push for playing time.

It’s dangerous to ever say, “the best ever” when referring to any of Montana coach Robin Selvig’s long string of championship teams. BUT... this group of freshmen has potential to be one of Selvig’s best freshman classes. Time will tell, perhaps soon.

Check back for more photos from Tuesday’s scrimmage and for several pre-season KEYS for the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana Lady Griz.

Vikings nip Bobcats 71-64; advance to championship

The edged the Portland State VikingsMontana state Bobcats 71-64 in Big Sky Women's Postseason Tournament semifinal action Friday. The win advances the Vikings to Saturday's championship tilt against the Montana Lady Griz, 76-50 victors over the Idaho State Bengals in the late semifinal game.

PHOTO RIGHT: Portland State reserve Kelli Bishop battles for possession of sthe ball against three Bobcat defenders in the Vikings 71-64 semifinal win over the Montana State Bobcats Friday. The win catapults the Vikings into the championship game Saturday against Montana.

The Viking - leading by three with 1:39 seconds remaining - forced a Bobcat turnover and converted four straight free throws to put the game on ice in the final seconds.

Viking forward Kelli Valentine paced the Vikings with 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field. She was joined in double figures by point guard Claire Faucher, who had 13, and reserve Kelly Merchant, who had 12.

Junior guard Erica Perry led the Bobcats with 20 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Also in double figures for the Bobcats were forward Sarah Strand with 14 and guard Catie Bussey with 10.

The Bobcats finished the season at 15-15, while the Vikings moved to 22-8.

PHOTO RIGHT: Montana State Bobcat point guard Erica Perry goes up for two of her 20 points against Portland State defenders in Friday's semifinal action.

CATS over GRIZ: no goats, two MVPs & a big-time steal

In the aftermath of the Montana State Bobcats’ first-round Big Sky Conference playoff victory before 5210 fans at Dahlberg Arena, much of the post-game analysis focused on Bobcat guard Will Bynum’s steal of an errant pass by Montana point guard Anthony Johnson, which Bynum converted into an insurmountable 56-52 MSU lead with 9 seconds remaining.

While that stellar play gave the Bobcats their final winning edge, MSU coach Brad Huse lauded the efforts of Bynum at a point much earlier in the game.

“Will did a great job for us getting into the key and making good decisions,” said Huse. “Will was really focused to stick to the game plan we had in place for him. He was the catalyst tonight.”

Though Johnson bore the brunt of that costly turnover – one of only two he commited all game – it was Johnson whose eight points over the game’s last six minutes rallied Montana from a 50-42 deficit to within a single point of the Cats at 53-52 with 57 seconds left to play.

PHOTO RIGHT: Montana point guard Anthony Johnson is guarded by Montana State point guard Will Bynum. Johnson scored a game-high 19 points, had four assists, and two turnovers while Bynum scored 15 points, had five rebounds and five assists... and the game-winning steal.

Montana coach Wayne Tinkle described Johnson’s game-long effort as MVP-caliber.

Though the game was lost... and won, in the game’s final nine seconds, both coaches pointed to other factors that added up to victory for the Bobcats.

Huse stressed the importance of the Bobcats’ ability to score in the paint in the game’s early stages.

And that’s where the Bobcats established the tone of the contest.

 In a game where the teams were evenly balanced in several statistical areas, the Bobcats dominated the paint at both ends of the court, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 40-29 and wresting a dominant 10-rebound edge over Montana on the offensive glass.

PHOTO RIGHT: Montana's Johnson has his shot blocked by MSU senior post Divaldo Mbunga, who had five blocked shots in addition to 11 rebounds and nine points for the visiting Bobcats.

“We kind of set the tone I thought in the first half with our ability to get on the offensive glass and create second shot opportunities, even if they weren’t (all) going in,” said Huse.

The result, by game’s end, was a 34-10 Cat scoring margin in the paint... a whopping 24 point margin.

PHOTO RIGHT: Montana State head coach Brad Huse and Montana assistant coach Bill Evans shake hands after Huse's Bobcats defeated Montana in the first round of the Big Sky post-season tourney. The Bobcats will face regular season champ Weber State in semifinal action Tuesday.

There’s more to the disparity than offensive rebounds, however. That’s because the Bobcats also got the job done early at the defensive end. The Grizzlies didn’t score in the paint because the Bobcats did not allow Montana low-post players ball-possession down low. And when Montana did work the ball down low, Bobcat senior post Divaldo Mbunga was a monstsrous force, blocking five Griz shots and altering several more.

That meant the Griz had to convert from other areas.

And the perimeter was truly a dead zone for Montana.

The Cats barricaded the paint and then seemed to dare the Griz to score from outside. The resulting slew of Montana shots – many of them wide-open looks – caromed off the rim.

Excluding Johnson, who had several opportunities inside, Montana’s outside shooters Ryan Staudacher, Jack McGillis and Michael Taylor made 6-for-19 from the perimeter, less than a 30 percent average.

With each missed Montana shot, the Bobcats had more time to patiently work on their own offensive game plan.

“I thought we had great balance tonight in terms of inside and out, better than we’ve had in recent time,” said Huse. “On top of that, I thought we made good decisions when we drove the basketball.

“Then we had a nice run there (early in the second half), we hit a couple of threes and got a couple nice point-blank shots,” said Huse.

It became more than a scoring edge for the Cats; it swung momentum and confidence into the visitors’ favor.

“You know, when you’re on the road like this, the home team has the advantage and they’re the higher seed and all those things...” said Huse.

“You feel like the pressure’s on their shoulders and... you know, our guys played relaxed there to get that lead and held on.”

Tinkle didn’t buy the notion that his Montana players should be pressured and tight.

“Well, that’s what everybody always says, you know it’s tough playing, beating a team a third time... I don’t really necessarily buy into it,” said Tinkle.

“If you’re the better team, you should beat them all three times,” said Tinkle. “But tonight, with everything that they were up against, they were just a little bit better than us,” said Tinkle. “On this night, they out-played us.”

In spite of those dynamics, Montana rose up on defense and held the Bobcats to a single free throw for all but the last nine seconds of the game’s final six-plus minutes.

Bobcat forward Bobby Howard drained an arcing trey from the left corner to give the Cats a 50-42 lead with 6:28 remaining.

But from there Johnson – while his teammates stiffened up on defense – single-handedly took control of Montana’s offense, scoring 10 straight points on eight free throws and a 12-foot jumper with 1:35 remaining. Two free throws by Staudacher with 57 seconds remaining made it 53-52 Bobcats.

Spurred by the cacophonous Montana crowd, the Griz made one final defensive stop and, with 21 seconds remaining, called time out to set up the final play.

“Well, we pretty much knew who was going to have the basketball...” said Huse. “One of two guys.”

“We threw the ball to our fifth-year senior (Jordan Hasquet),” said Tinkle. “We ran our MVP (Johnson) off to get the handoff... cleared out that side to get a little two-man game.”

“And we just didn’t make the play,” said Tinkle.

“Great anticipation by Bynum on the steal...” said Huse.

Cats stymie Griz 56-54; advance to Big Sky tourney semifinals

Montana State guard Will Bynum stole a Montana pass with nine seconds remaining and converted a layup and a free throw to lead the Bobcats over the Montana Grizzlies in first-round Big Sky Conference tourney action before 5210 fans at Dahlberg Arena Saturday.

The Bobcats advance to a semifinal contest against the host Weber State Wildcats on March 10 in Ogden, Utah.

PHOTO LEFT: Montana's Anthony Johnson drives against Marquis Navarre for two of his game-high 19 points in the Cats' 56-54 win over the Griz Saturday. Johnson had assists points and only two turnovers in the game.

Bynum led the Bobcats with 15 points and five assists. But it was perhaps a 11 rebound and 10 shots-taken advantage over the Grizzlies that spelled the difference in a game where the underdog Cats led through much of the second half.

Montana junior point guard Anthony Johnson paced the Grizzlies with 19 points, but it was his errant pass that Bynum stole and which created a stunning reversal in Montana’s maneuvering for a last second shot with the Cats holding a one-point 53-52 lead in the game’s final seconds.

PHOTO LEFT: Montana senior forward Jordan Hasquet drives to the bucket in second half action. Hasquet scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds over 33 minutes of game action.

Johnson was joined in double figures by senior forward Jordan Hasquet, who scored 12, and junior forward Jack McGillis, who scored 10. No other Bobcat player scored in double figures, although eight Bobcat players scored in game action.

In an otherwise even statistical contest, Montana State –  behind senior post Divaldo Mbunga’s 11 rebounds and Erik Rush’s 10 – outrebounded Montana 40-29, snaring an impressive 18 offensive boards, which led to a 10-shot, 60-50 advantage over Montana.

BOTTOM PHOTOS: Seniors Kyle Sharp (40) and Ceylon Elgin Taylor (5) played their final games as Montana Grizzlies Saturday. Sharp, who started at post through conference play, scored four points and pulled down four rebounds against the Cats. Elgin-Taylor was scoreless in 13 minutes of action. Sharp grabbed an offensive rebound on this play and scored on the putback. Divaldo Mbunga defends. Elgin-Taylor missed this early offense layup against defenders Will Bynum (1) and Austin Brown.

NOTE: Because of double-header game action Saturday, additional and more complete coverage will be provided later Sunday.

GRIZ SENIORS: Playing for more

Saturday's first-round playoff game against the Montana State Bobcats at Dahlberg Arena will be the final time on-court for three Grizzlies. But those seniors – and their teammates – will put it all on the line because a win over the Cats propels them into the Big Sky Conference Semifinals in Ogden, Utah on Tuesday March 10th.

In a brief pre-game interview with Montana's seniors – Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, Jordan Hasquet and Kyle Sharp – and assistant coach Nate DuChesne, the message was the same. I asked what was the most important single key to success against Montana State. Their answers?

Defense got Montana this far. Defense will be required to move the Grizzlies one more game into the post season.

NATE DuCHESNE: "We have to play Grizzly basketball, which is defense first. In both the previous games we had a couple of really nice runs where we were able to reel of eight to 10 points. I’m sure they (the Bobcats) are going to try to control that this time and minimize our runs... But what we did in those stretches is we played great defense and were able to get the ball up the floor and get good shots. There isn’t going to be anything different between what we’ve done in the past and what we’ll try to do against the Cats again in order to be 12-5 in this league"

CEYLON ELGIN-TAYLOR: "First-off, to win, but to just take that next step... to play hard, to get better, to do the things we need to get to the next round. They’re a rival, so of course they’re going to come out and play hard to be the aggressor, so it’ll be our job to do the things we need to be the aggressor. The biggest thing about this team compared to the past years is that we’re more competitor and we look to do the things to make ourselves better every game. I’ve never won a basketball championship. Ever, in all my years as a player. So, I mean, I want us to finish with a bang and just win it all."

JORDAN HASQUET: "Definitely defense. We know what weapons they’ve got and we’re keying on all their guys with a game plan on each guy, knowing their guys, knowing what they want to do and just putting a stop to it. They had moments in our past games where they outplayed us, so they’re going to look at those things and see what they can do to try and expose us. The thing they’ve got going for them... they say it’s hard to beat a team three times. So, we’ll see. Grizzly basketball this year has really started on defense. It starts for us on defense and everything else will come naturally for us."

KYLE SHARP: "The Cats have had a couple of tough losses, so I’m sure their coach has them ready to play. But more important is we’re going to have to be ready for them just as much as they’ll be ready for us. We have to make sure that their great shooters don’t get good looks. They have a lot of good scorers, especially on the post. Mbunga is a great player and it’s our job to try to shut him down. If we can go out with energy, that’ll get us going early and we can start playing our style of basketball. You don’t personally want do do anything too extreme, too different. I just want to keep an even keel, to keep an even game... I don’t care if I score zero points, I want to do what we need to win."

Latest Griz, Lady Griz game photos posted

  Game photos of Montana's 79-64 home-court win over the Idaho State Bengals and the Montana Lady Griz' 71-51 victory over the Northern Colorado Bears are now posted. Photos of Montana's win over ISU can be viewed HERE.

Photos of the Montana Lady Griz' win over Northern Colorado can be viewed HERE.

PHOTO: Montana senior center Kyle Sharp posts up against ISU defender Lucas Steijn in Montana's 79-64 win over Idaho State.
(bottom) Montana's Sarah Ena battles for control of the ball during first-half action against Northern Colorado.

Johnson paces Montana in 79-64 victory over Bengals

 

The saying about it being tough to keep a good man down for long... or a good team down for that matter, was true on Sunday.

Montana junior guard Anthony Johnson -- who, along with his teammates, had an uncharacteristically poor shooting night in Montana’s Thursday loss to Weber State --  erupted for 20 second-half points to lead the Grizzlies to a 79-64 Big Sky Conference victory over the Idaho State Bengals before 3821 fans in Missoula’s Dahlberg Arena Sunday.

The victory upped Montana’s record to 17-10, 11-4 in league play, and solidified the Grizzlies’ hold on second place in the Big Sky, while also improving its chances of earning a first-round bye in the post-season tournament.

PHOTO: Montana Guard Anthony Johnson is cut off by Idaho State's Matt Stucki. Johnson scored 26 points to lead Montana past the Bengals.

Johnson, who had been limited by the Bengals to just six first-half points on 3-of-5 shots, was unstoppable over the final 20 minutes.

The flashy, slashing Griz point guard dialed the game tempo up several notches during second half action and made 4-for-5 shots on a variety of full-throttle drives to pace the Griz. When the Bengals did stop Johnson, they usually fouled him. The result was a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line for the Big Sky’s leading scorer and free throw shooter.

PHOTO: Senior post Kyle Sharp posts for two of his 10 points. Sharp also pulled down 10 rebounds and had two steals.

ISU Coach Joe O’Obrien and Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle were equally in awe of Johnson’s performance.

“He’s a bear to guard,” said O’Brien. “I mean, man... he can turn the corner in a heartbeat. I think he’s leading the league in free throw attempts per game, he might be leading the league in free throw percentage. You just can’t afford to foul him.”

“I put Donnie (Carson) on him, who’s our best on-the-ball defender,” Obrien added. “I brought Phil (Taylor) off the bench for a couple of minutes to give Donnie a blow. Amorrow (Morgan) tried to guard him...

“And when you do get him stopped, he’s good at drawing help and then he kicks to somebody like Ryan Staudacher,” said O’brien, shaking his head.

“I tell you, he (Johnson) had quite a performance.,” said Tinkle. “Seven for 10 from the field, 12 of 12 from the free throw line, six assists, only one turnover,”

“We were disappointed in his effort the other night,” said Tinkle. “And so we challenged him to be better and he certainly answered the call.”

Meanwhile, senior post Kyle Sharp, playing his final league game as a Grizzly,  hammered out a blue-collar double-double in the low blocks, scoring 11 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and nabbing two key steals during a critical late stretch where Montana expanded a four-point lead to 12.

“I wasn’t doing a very good job playing post defense,” said Sharp. “My man was scoring a little too much, so I knew I needed to try to make some plays, especially something that we could get going, where I could get the ball to AJ and let him go,” Sharp added.

Building from Sharp’s solid defensive play, Johnson became catalyst of the late Montana run. Johnson fed junior guard Ryan Staudacher for a three-point conversion from the right corner, then grabbed a rebound and was fouled on his outlet drive.

His free throws extended Montana’s lead from 62-58 to 67-58 with 3:31 remaining, which was expanded to 70-58 just 20 seconds later on Jack McGillis’ trey from the right elbow.

PHOTOS: (three above) Jordan Hasquet is ambushed by four Bengals as he posts up for a shot in the first half. Hasquet scored seven points and pulled down six rebounds. (Above, middle) Reserve guard sophomore Michael Taylor scored 10 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night. (above) Junior Ryan Staudacher scored 12 points on four three-point shots, three in the second half.

Johnson said his coaches told him to take charge in the second half... to “Just attack.”

“They told me to attack at the free throw line,” said Johnson. “I’m a play-maker, so if I didn’t have the lane then I found someone else who had the shot. Luckily Mike (Taylor) was on early, Ryan Staudacher was on early and especially late in the game, so that was it... being aggressive,” said Johnson.

“I knew if I had it in transition I could just use my speed and try to capitalize. Luckily I was getting to the free throw line a little bit and it just worked out for us,” said Johnson.

Taylor had perhaps his best game of the year, scoring 10 points on a perfect 3-for-3 from the field -- eight of those points coming during a critical first-half run that extended Montana’s lead to from 17-14 to 27-17 in a brief two-minute span midway through the first half.

Staudacher equaled Taylor’s effort with similar second-half play. Staudacher made 4-of-7 treys for the game, three of them at critical second-half junctures that stemmed mini-runs by ISU.

The Bengals -- despite shooting a blistering 52 percent from the field for the game -- were never able to draw any closer than four points, after Montana’s first-half surge and 10-point lead.

But every time Montana appeared poised to break the game open, the Bengals responded with their own runs. Reserve guard Austin Kilpatrick was particularly effective, nailing 4-of-6 three-point shots in two stretches that catapulted the Bengals back into contention.

And Montana defenders seemed incapable of stopping Bengal post Lucas Steijn, who scored 14 points, most of them mid-key jumpers over Montana defenders.

Five Bengals scored in double figures, led by Steijn. Chron Tatum had 13, Kilpatrick and Amorrow Morgan 12 each, and Matt Stucki 10.

“Credit goes to Idaho State,” said Johnson. “I mean, they’re always a tough, physical team. They’re an in-your-face, long, big, physical team. They’re bigger than we are, especially their guards. That Amorrow Morgan... Oh, man. He’s a tough guard. Tough physical guard,” said Johnson.

Tinkle agreed. “That’s a very good defensive team, they’re physical and athletic. They don’t give up percentages like that, and I’m really proud of the way our guys responded tonight.”

The win, Tinkle admitted, shook a huge monkey off the coach’s back. It was just a year ago, on senior night, that Portland State mauled the Griz 108-56.

Asked about that game, Tinkle laughed and said, “I had my arm around Sharpie and Jordan on the way up the tunnel and I said ‘Guys, what a difference a year makes as far as senior night goes.’ “

“It’s big,” said senior Jordan Hasquet.  “You always want to go out with a win, no matter where you’re at. It was real cool to get a standing O... That was awesome.”

The Bengals slipped to 10-18, 7-7 in conference standings at fourth place. ISU maintained its chances to host a first-round tourney game.

Montana now travels to Northern Colorado for its final conference game of the year, while the Bengals will host the league’s cellar-dwellers Northern Arizona (8-17) and Sacramento State (2-25).

Montana bids goodbye to three seniors

Montana men's basketball fans will bid 'goodbye' to three seniors playing their final home game as Grizzlies today against the Idaho State Bengals.

Senior starters Jordan Hasquet and Kyle Sharp and backup point guard Ceylon Elgin Taylor will be honored in pre-game ceremonies just prior to the crucial conference match against the Idaho State Bengals.

#2 JORDAN HASQUET

Hasquet and Sharp are both career Griz, having played as teammates since their freshman seasons in 2006, when the Grizzlies won the Big Sky Conference Tourney and won a first-round NCAA playoff game against Nevada before losing to Boston College.

Hasquet has been a three-year starter for Montana, while Sharp played a vital role as a first-line backup before winning the starting role as Montana post early in conference play.

#40 KYLE SHARP

Elgin-Taylor was Montana's starting guard through most of the 2008 season and pre-season 2009. He has usually been the first player off the bench in conference play.

READ Grizzly Journal's profile of KYLE SHARP here (or click on the profile header in the left column.

#5 CEYLON ELGIN-TAYLOR

READ Missoulian Sports Editor Bob Meseroll's excellent profile of JORDAN HASQUET here.

Montana Griz, Weber State game photos

Grizzly Journal's game photos for the Montana-Weber State conference tilt February 19 at Missoula's Dahlberg Arena are available for viewing. The photos can be viewed HERE.

The Wildcats, behind the first-half scoring of freshman guard Damian Lilliard (photo, right) defeated the Grizzlies 69-58 in a battle for first place in the Big Sky Conference on Thursday.

With the win over the Griz, the Wildcats claimed the title and home-court host role for the post-season tournament, which is scheduled for March 10-11 in Ogden, Utah.

Montana junior guard Anthony Johnson (photo, with ball) scored 17 points against the Wildcats... keeping him on pace for consideration as Big Sky MVP, along with outstanding senior point guard Kellen McCoy of WSU.

Montana has a must-win game against the Idaho State Bengals today. A Montana win places the Griz in good position for second place and a first-round bye in the tournament. Otherwise, it's not so simple.

A loss to the Bengals makes earning second place and a tourney bye much more difficult for the Griz. In the event of a second-place tie between the Griz and Portland State, my 'early' calculations give the Griz a shot at earning the tie-breaker with the Vikings.

However, in the event of a third-place tie with the Bengals in conference play, Idaho State would most likely earn the tie-breaker. The worst Montana is likely to finish would be in fourth place, with a home-court first-round playoff game.

Grizzly Journal will post game photos and a story of the Griz-Bengals game later tonight.

Weber State claims Big Sky title with 69-58 win over Montana

In a game billed as the battle for the Big Sky Conference title, the Weber State Wildcats left no doubt in the mind’s-eye view of a partisan Montana crowd of 5558, claiming the regular season conference crown with a convincing 69-58 win over the Grizzlies at Dahlberg Arena Thursday.

The win – the Wildcats’ 12th in Big Sky play and seventh road triumph – ensured Weber State the host role in the conference post-season tourney and propelled them to an impressive 18-8 record so far.

Weber State jumped quickly and rode the shooting prowess of freshman guard Damian Lillard, whose 12 first-half points catapulted the Wildcats to a 33-27 first half lead.

“I thought he (Lillard) gave our team a lot of confidence,” said Weber State head coach Randy Rahe. “He got off to a great start shooting the ball, and he was ready to go tonight. I thought he was the biggest key to why we got that first half lead.”

Though Lilliard finished with 16, several of his court-mates took control of the second half from there.

“I thought they (the Wildcats) were the aggressor tonight,” said Montana assistant coach Nate DuChesne.

“ I’m not sure why. We’ve been the aggressor of late. Tonight we allowed them to be a little too comfortable on the offensive end and get some good looks early. When you do that, you play with a lot more confidence. And they did that,” said DuChesne.

PHOTOS: Montana guard Anthony Johnson scores twoof his game-high 17 points against Wildcat guard Damian Lilliard. Johnson made only 6-for-16 shots on the night. (Below) Four Weber State defenders surround Montana guard Ceylon Elgun-Taylor in a scramble for the ball. Elgin Taylor regained control of the ball and scored the basket for two of his four points. Pictured are: (?) Kellen McCoy, Kyle Bullinger, Elgin-Taylor, Johnson, and Daviin Davis.

Wildcat senior center Steve Panos, plagued by first-half foul trouble, dominated the paint in the second half, netting 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the low blocks over Montana post defenders. The result was a stretch of mid-half Wildcat play that boosted the league-leaders to leads as large as 15 before they coasted to the final 11-point margin on a ball-control passing game offense.

“When we’ve been successful defensively, and when we kind of turned this thing around, it’s because our bigs were able to go one-on-one at the post...” said DuChesne. “(But) their bigs had their way with us tonight for the majority of the game,” said Duchesne.

Rahe agreed with Duchesne.

“I thought the biggest difference was I thought we really defended,” said Rahe. “And we really rebounded well. Those were the two areas that we had to  try to outdo them if we were going to be successful. And those were the two areas that I thought were the biggest reasons that we had a chance.”

“We challenged them going in that if we can out-defend them and out-rebound them, we’ll have a chance going down the stretch,” said Rahe.

PHOTOS: Montana senior Kyle Sharp controls the ball in a post-up move where he scored two of his four points on the night. Wildcat post Steve Panos defends. (bottom) Montana post Brian Qvale posts up against Panos in second-half action. Qvale scored nine points and had eight rebounds. Panos scored 13 points and had four rebounds.

Nonetheless, it was Wildcat reserve guard Daviin Davis who wreaked perhaps the most damage at the most critical junctures. Davis scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, several on slashing baseline drives past or behind Montana defenders.

When Davis wasn’t scoring, he was helping to put the clamps defensively on Montana’s all-everything point guard, Anthony Johnson.

Johnson scored 17 to pace the Grizzlies. But the league-leading scorer shot an uncharacteristic 6-of-16 from the field on several tries that were altered by Wildcat defenders.

Johnson’s backcourt starting teammate, Ryan Staudacher, had an even more disastrous shooting night, missing all six of his shots and one of-two free throws for one point. Power forward Jordan Hasquet made only 1-of-5 shots, though he made all four of his free throws to finish with seven.

“I thought Johnson had a good night,” said Rahe. “But he was six-for-16. He’s been shooting over 50 percent.”

Only reserve guards Michael Taylor (nine points) and Ceylon Elgin-Taylor (seven points) and center Brian Qvale (nine points) shot with any accuracy. But their efforts were not enough to boost the Grizzlies, who trailed the entire game after Lilliard knocked down two quick first-half treys to propel the Wildcats to a seven point lead midways through the first half.

Though Montana would mount two second-have rallies that pulled them within five points, five was as close as they could get. Each time the Wildcats got clutch plays by Davis, or Panos. Or – in one short span of time – guard Nick Hansen, who nailed back-to-back treys to put space between the Wildcats and the Griz with just under eight minutes remaining.

The loss leaves Montana where they were before the game, in second place with an opportunity still before them to  claim a first-round bye in the post season tournament.

That prospect kept Montana coach Wayne Tinkle upbeat after the game.

“We told our guys, we tried to say 'fellas.... let’s give it our best shot,' ” said Tinkle. “We said it all week... 'You guys have put yourselves in the position to make this a big game.' "

“I’m disappointed we didn’t respond a little bit better,” said Tinkle. “But at the end of the day, had we won, we would still have been in second place.

“But the more important thing is we’ve got a really tough team coming in on Saturday,” cautioned Tinkle. “And we’ve got to regroup.”

That team is the Idaho State Bengals, which rocked Montana State 63-56 in Bozeman Thursday. A win over the Bengals puts the Grizzlies into position to earn the bye. A loss to the Bengals and-or to Northern Colorado next week could push the Grizzlies into third, or perhaps fourth place.

That would then force Montana into first-round play, with the most-likely scenarios as a host to either the Bobcats or Northern Colorado.

MONTANA GRIZ: Contenders or Pretenders?

In post-game comments after his Montana Grizzlies had almost effortlessly dispatched the Montana State Bobcats by 15 points on their home court, Montana coach Wayne Tinkle repeated his season-long mantra that his diverse group of veterans and newcomers, would jell slowly.

That’s because, since game one, a minimum of nine players (sometimes 10) regularly log double-figures playing time. The process of getting all those players in sync has been complex. And it’s taken time.

 But, after Saturday night’s powerful Griz performance, even Tinkle might admit that things have been solidifying nicely.

 The Grizzlies, in the wake of that 78-63 win over the Cats, look quite ready to contend for the Big Sky Conference title a mere three weeks after losing back-to-back road games against Idaho State and Weber State and appearing in danger of slipping into the bottom tier of the conference.

Things started falling into place with Montana’s 63-50 win at Eastern Washington. The Griz have since chalked up four more.

ANTHONY JOHNSON (with ball) the Big Sky's leading scorer and free throw shooter, has been drawing crowds lately.

Saturday’s win –- Montana’s fifth straight and its second road triumph in conference play –- cemented a solid grasp on third place in the Big Sky conference at 8-3, easily placing the Griz within striking distance of the league leading Wildcats (9-1) and Portland State (8-3).

The win was further proof of a steady, game-by-game improvement by the Griz that was predicted three weeks previously by the perceptive Northern Colorado coach, Tad Boyle.

“To me it’s Portland State, Weber State and Montana right now,” said  Boyle.  “They’re the contenders in this league, and everybody else is just pretenders. I really think that.”

CEYLON ELGIN-TAYLOR, since his return to action, has given Montana a boost, and added depth at the point.

Of course there are no guarantees in the Big Sky, as the second-place Vikings can attest after being unanimously pegged to easily defend their 08 league and tourney titles.

The catalyst for Montana has been junior college transfer Anthony Johnson, who stepped up and manned Montana’s point-guard responsibilities in the wake of senior leader Ceylon Elgin Taylor’s 10-game absence to address personal issues.

RYAN STAUDACHER, known as an excellent shooter, has made giant strides on  defense in recent games, logging one of his best-ever defensive efforts against the Cats.

Johnson has been a study in excellence, learning the nuances of his new role quickly and, in all likelihood, learning the entire Montana offensive system faster than he might have otherwise. The result has been improved  guard depth overall as off guards Ryan Staudacher and Michael Taylor logged extensive floor time with Johnson at the point. And so, when Elgin-Taylor returned to action two weeks ago,Montana’s guard play had become more mature, more versatile, with a newfound offensive punch.

MICHAEL TAYLOR is a capable ball handler and an excellent defender and will be a key sub because of Montana's recent injury issues.

It was the confident second-half play of Elgin-Taylor against the Bobcats that allowed Johnson to roam off ball in the two guard spot. Johnson broke loose for 17 second-half points against the Bobcats (scoring 13 of Montana’s final 14), two of the buckets coming off of laser-sharp assists from Elgin Taylor. Also since his return, Elgin Taylor has become more aggressive offensively, as his eight points Saturday illustrate.

Montana has thus developed into a potent offensive team (by Big Sky standards) behind Johnson’s league-leading scoring prowess. That's opened things up everywhere, allowing for more offensive looks by posts Brian Qvale and Kyle Sharp, and even giving more offensive room for power forward Jordan Hasquet to work. Montans's offensive weapons are functioning atall positions now, Adding Elgin-Taylor’s full-court leadership has made them even stronger.

But Griz guard play paints only a partial view of Montana’s mid-season turnaround.

KYLE SHARP has emerged as Montana's senior leader on defense in the paint.

Another personnel adjustment actually coincides more directly with Montana’s recent dominant play. That adjustment occurred when Tinkle switched the roles of senior post Sharp with sophomore post Qvale, making Sharp the starter and bring Qvale in off the bench. The all-so-simple move looks like a master stroke by Tinkle, because the improved play of BOTH posts has paid dividends at both ends of the floor.

Sharp is relaxed, aggressive and confident as Montana’s senior starter; Qvale is... well, with the starter's pressure off his shoulders, he’s become more relaxed, aggressive and confident stepping into the fray as Sharp’s first-line sub. The duo now make for the most dominant and powerful post tandem in the Big Sky.

BRIAN QVALE has become a more aggressive and confident player as Sharp's substitute at post.

Saturday’s stats-line shows that Montana had five blocked shots. I counted at least eight. But when Montana’s altered shots are counted, the figure logged by Sharp, Qvale and wing Jack McGillis could be closer to 15 blocked or altered shots total. Putting it mildly, any shots launched by the Cats in the key entered into a Montana flak zone. The Griz are now contesting everything in the key. And that leads to...

Perhaps the most important factor in Montana’s resurgence lies in an area of steadily improving team strength: defense. Early in the season Montana assistant coach Nate DuChesne told me that Montana would start winning when it “assumed on-court ownership of trademark Montana defense.” DuChesne was referring precisely to Montana’s two-decade reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the Big Sky.

JORDAN HASQUET has been getting more open looks from Montana's improved offensive play and will be a key component in the Grizzlies title hopes.

Take a look at Saturday’s stats. The Grizzlies dominated the Cats, holding them to four points below their season average. More impressively, Montana held the Bobcats to a 26.1 percent second half field goal average, which was down from an equally stark 34.5 first-half percentage. The Cats shot 30.8 percent for the whole game, almost 16 percent below their 45.7 pct. average.

It was merely the latest in a string of golden Montana defensive performances, all of which rank them as clearly the best defensive team in the Big Sky. How they’ve been playing that defense is  probably the subject of an analysis after Montana’s next road swing (this week).

JACK McGILLIS is the key high-post defender in Montana's steadily improving zone-to-man defense. His perimeter shooting is improving with each game. Another key player in Montana's title run hopes.

Over the past two years Tinkle hung his hat on Montana’s rank as the Big Sky’s leader in scoring defense, which they again hold with a 65.7 mark. But this year the Grizzlies are also the league’s best team in field goal percentage defense, which is a much more accurate gauge of defensive efficienty. The Griz are holding their opponents to a .442 percentage in field goals, almost a full point better than Weber State, and significantly ahead of the rest of the conference.

There’s more of course. Montana is ranked second in blocked shots (3.57 pg), second in free throw percentage (72 percent), and third in three-point field goal percentage (38 percent).

And, whenever Tinkle is asked, he says Montana isn’t close to playing up to its potential. But now’s the time to do just that.

Montana embarks Thursday to road games against Sacramento State and Northern Arizona. Both are games the Griz need to win to remain in the title race. Both will be battles.

Both will provide answers to the question of whether or not the Montana Grizzlies are contenders.

Or pretenders.

Morales, Johnson take command in Griz dual-sweep of Cats

The Montana Lady Griz and the Montana Grizzlies capped impressive sweeps of the Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman today, and in doing so positioned themselves to make a run for the Big Sky Conference titles in the women’s and men’s divisions.

Even more impressive was the stellar play of two point guards well on their way toward etching a spot in Montana, and Big Sky record books.

The Lady Griz beat the Lady Cats 67-60 behind the 17 points of All-Conference (and reigning MVP) Mandy Morales, while junior guard Anthony Johnson paced the Grizzlies with 23 points in the resurgent Montana Grizzlies 78-63 thumping of the Cats in the evening finale.

The leadership and play of Morales and Johnson demonstrated that championship-caliber teams usually win because of the leadership of a true floor-general point guard at the team’s helm.

But Morales and demonstrated even more on Saturday. The two gold-standard point guards demonstrated yet again the uncanny sense of the how and when of taking full control of a game.

Morales stood tough under a frantic barrage of physical punishment by the Lady Cats, snaring four critical rebounds over the final four minutes of play and sinking two critical free throws in the final minute of play.

In a virtual standoff between Morales and Montana State point guard Jessica Perry – an outstanding point guard as well – it was Perry who blinked first. Television cameras provided several closeups of the two in the final minutes of play, and the evidence was overwhelming.

Johnson’ s performance was even more emphatic. The junior point guard – tossed green into the point-guard role just before Christmas – had been held to only five points through the first half. But he responded with several critical assists, and and waited for his time.

When the Bobcats made a run at Montana with just under 10 minutes remaining, Johnson took control. He scored 18 points on several nifty pull-up jumpers and two slashing drives. And... when the Cats started fouling in the final three minutes, Johnson calmly sank 9-of-9 free throws to pace the Griz to their inspiring win.

The Lady Griz’ win, coupled with Sac State’s 64-75 win over Portland State, gives Montana sole possession of first place heading into the second half of play. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, improved to 8-3, and in sole possession of second place, well within reach of league-leading Weber State (9-1). The Grizzlies are in perfect position to challenge the Wildcats for the Big Sky Conference title. Two critical road contests stand in their way this week.

What does the leadership of Morales and Johnson look like on paper? It’s all revealed in the stats-line.

Morales:  FG 6-11;  FT 5-5; RBNDS 7; PTS. 17; A 2, TO 4.
Johnson: FG 7-14;  FT 9-9; RBNDS 5; PTS 23;  A 5; TO-5.

Game Photos of Montana's 60-52 win over Eastern Washington

Game photos of Montana's 60-52 win over the Eastern Washington Eagles are now posted at the Grizzly Journal photo site. Photos can be viewed HERE.

Montana senior power forward Jordan Hasquet notched a double-double in Montana's 60-52 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday.

Hasquet hit 3-of-5 three-point shots early in the first half to pace the Grizzlies, finishing with 12 points. In the second half, Hasquet bolstered Montana's rebounding, and finished with 10 boards. Hasquet is ranked fourth in the Big Sky in rebounding, with 131 rebounds, an average of 6.0 per game. He is the second-best defensive rebounder with 4.32 per game, trailing only Justin Eller of Sac State at 4.55 per game.

Montana's three straight conference victories, coupled with Montana State's 85-82 win over the Portland State Vikings on Sunday, bumped the Grizzlies into second place in the conference standings at 7-3, one-half game ahead of the Vikings at 6-3 and 1.5 game behind league-leading Weber State at 8-1.

PHOTO: Montana power forward Jordan Hasquet looks to pass the ball past Eastern Washington post Brandon Moore. Hasquet had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the Grizzlies' 60-52 win over the Eagles.

Montana is clearly the dominant defensive team in the Big Sky so far, with league-leading statistical averages in two key defensive categories. The Grizzlies are holding opponents to 65.8 points per game, nearly two points per game ahead of second place Weber State at 67.5. The Grizzlies are holding their opponents to a  .428 shooting percentage from the field – also a league best – ahead of the second place Wildcats at .434.

The Grizzlies are also ranked second in the Big Sky in free throw percentage at 71 percent, and blocked shots with 77 (3.5 per game).  Montana is ranked third in three point field goals (38 percent), assists (12.27 per game), and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.96).

Montana junior point guard Anthony Johnson is tied for second in scoring average (16.3) with Sacramento State's Loren Leath, both barely behind league leader Benny Valentine of Eastern Washington at 16.4. Johnson has the third best free throw shooting percentage at .854, behind Antonio Flaggs of Sac State (.879), and Damian Lillard of Weber State (.864). However, Johnson's 111 made-free throws is more than the combined total of Lillard and Flags (96).

Montana shooting guard, junior Ryan Staudacher, is ranked second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.489) behind Northern Arizona's Cameron Jones at .509.

Sophomore center Brian Qvale has 35 blocked shots, a 1.35 per game average, good for second behind Montana State's Divaldo Mbunga with a 1.60 per game average (32 total).

Griz shake-off slumber, edge Eastern Washington 60-52

Down by 10 points a mere 42-seconds into the second half, the Eastern Washington Eagles attacked the Montana Grizzlies with alternating zone and man-on defensive looks and held the Grizzlies scoreless for nearly nine minutes.

The problem was that the Eagles could only score 10 of their own points during that span, a rate of just over a point per minute. The result?

The Eagles’ defensive prowess was only good enough for a 32-32 tie.

And so, with 9:31 remaining – when Montana point guard Anthony Johnson broke the logjam with a three-point jumper from the tip of the key – the points were enough to give the Grizzlies a lead. And momentum.

Johnson’s shot triggered a Grizzly run that was good enough for a 60-52 Big Sky Conference win over the Eagles before 4126 partisan fans.

The win nudged Montana’s record to 7-3 in conference play, 13-9 overall, and solidified the Grizzlies’ grip on third place In conference standings, since both Northern Colorado and Idaho State lost.

Johnson’s trey was just his eighth point of the game, but the heady junior Griz floor leader took control of the game from there to the buzzer, scoring 12 of Montana’s remaining 25 points and directing the pace of the game at both ends of the floor.

“I really loved his presence on the court,” said Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle, shaking his head in admiration. “We're asking him to do an awful lot... Man, his demeanor and his presence was unbelievable on the court.”

The JC transfer floor leader once again provided MVP-caliber evidence for consideration as one of the Big Sky’s elite guards.

Johnson recorded a Griz career-high six assists without a turnover, snared three rebounds and had a blocked shot.

“Just an unbelievable game out of him,” said Tinkle. “ And he made some really big plays for us when we were looking for him to.”

PHOTOS: (Top) Montana point guard Anthony Johnson drives past EWU center Brandon Moore for two of his game-high 20 points. (Bottom) Vassy Banny works to drive into the lane to shoot. Banny was fouled on the shot but missed the free throws. Vanny scored two points in three minutes of playing time.

Forward Jordan Hasquet stepped up big as well... in two key stretches. The senior power forward paced the Grizzlies to an early 17-6 lead with three treys and 3-of-4 conversions from the free throw line.

And though Hasquet scored only one more point during the game, his second half rebounding and defense was just as critical. The result for Hasquet was a double-double of 12 total points and 10 rebounds.

Wing Jack McGillis was the only other Montana player in double figures. McGillis scored 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting from the floor and 5-of-6 free throws.

But two of McGillis’ plays were back-breakers, according to Eastern Washington coach Kirk Earlywine.

  “I thought three possessions in particular,” said Earlywine. “I thought the jump shot that Johnson hit off of a high-ball screen late in the shot clock was a big one. Then I thought we relaxed down there and allowed McGillis a deep post up, and then allowed him to score on a flex cut,” he added.

“We just don’t have enough margin for error to make those kinds of mistakes.”

“ I thought we gave about a "B" effort tonight,” said Earlywine. ”But a "B" effort isn’t good enough on the road against a good team. A "B" effort just gets your heart broken.”

Guard Andy Genao paced the Eagles with 14 points. He was joined by reserve guard Adris DeLeon with 12 and junior post Brandon Moore with 11.

The smaller Eagles dominated the boards 38-31.

No other Griz scored more than Ryan Staudacher’s five points.

But Montana's offensive production was enough to secure a win that saw the Eagles slap a disruptive array of switching defensive looks, usually starting with a zone, then switching to man-to-man. During the second half the Eagles frequently switched defenses at Earlywine's verbal command during a single Montana possession.

Unable to score, the Grizzlies responded with their own iron-clad defense, holding the Eagles to a paltry 33.3 percent from the field, and blocking a season-high six shots, three by Griz center Brian Qvale and two by Johnson.

PHOTOS:  (Top) Jordan Hasquet drives against EagleMatthew Brunell for two of his 11 first-half points. Hasquet also had 10 rebounds. (Bottom) Sophomore center Brian Qvale posts up against Gary Gibson and Benny Valentine (right)  made two points, had one assist and had three blocked shots.

“We were in there defensively, “ said Johnson. “As long as we play defense, we can win one to zero. As long as we play good defense, all the rest will take care of itself.”

Tinkle agreed.

“The unfortunate spurts we have where we don’t score, we’ve continued to defend, by and large,” said Tinkle. “I wish we would have held them under 50, but it’s still a pretty good job to hold them to 33 percent, and that’s what won us the game when we really didn’t have our best stuff offensively.”

Tinkle admitted to worrying about facing Eastern after beating them in Cheney only a week ago.

“We were really petrified of this game because we knew we were really gonna get their best, and it wasn’t pretty,” said Tinkle.

Johnson just shrugged.

“When you play basketball you have to make game-time adjustments,” he said.

He modestly credited his teammates for working hard to get open for one of his six assists.

“For me they (Eagles) were kind of keying in on me early and sending double-teams at me and squeezing on the ball screens.”

“So, with two guys on me that leaves one guy open all the time. I was just trying to keep my head on a swivel, find the open guy,” said Johnson.

“And our guys made plays.”

Montana now gets a week to prepare for their trip to Bozeman on Sunday, when they’ll face the Montana State Bobcats next Saturday, February 7th at 7 p.m.

Game Photos of Montana's 72-65 win over Portland State

Game photos of Montana's 72-65 win over the Portland State Vikings are now posted at the Grizzly Journal photo site, which you can access by CLICKING HERE.

PHOTOS:  (Top photo) Sophomore guard Michael Taylor drives against PSU gard Andre Murray in first-half action. Taylor scored eight points – two of them three-point shots. Taylor's second trey came at a key point late in the second half and gave the Grizzlies a three-point lead. Taylor played point man on Montana's efficient second-half zone against the Vikings. (Second photo) Montana junior forward Jack McGillis puts up a shot over PSU players Phil Nelson and Andre Murray in first-half action. McGillis made only 3-for-13 shots on the night, but his makes came at a key point in second half play. McGillis finished with eight points, six rebounds and three assists. (Third photo) Montana sophomore forward Brian Qvale watches his second-half tip-in settle into the net while junior forward Vassy Banny and PSU forward Kyle Coston watch. Qvale pulled down five rebounds to go along with four points and one blocked shot in 15 minutes of action.

Grizzlies tighten Big Sky race with 72-65 win over Portland State

The Montana Grizzlies combined stellar blue-collar performances from two of their power big men in the low blocks, along with a smothering defense on the perimeter, and edged the Big Sky Conference-leading Portland State Vikings 72-65 before the most raucous crowd of the season (4316)  in Dahlberg Arena Thursday.

Senior center Kyle Sharp punched-in with a swing-shift double-double of 10 rebounds and 15 points from point-blank range, while senior power forward Jordan Hasquet roped off the paint in the second half and finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Their yeoman efforts, along with 15 points and three assists from junior point guard Anthony Johnson, led the Grizzlies to their first win over the Vikings since 2006.

“They (Montana) hit some big shots, hit some big threes and... the crowd got into it, and I thought they just did a nice job of executing plays down the stretch and making baskets and we didn’t,” said Portland State Coach Ken Bone.

“I thought our guys played hard, but Montana just deserved to win,” said Bone.

Montana’s victory puts them at 6-3 and in third place – certainly poised to challenge for the conference crown – one-half game behind the Vikings (6-2)  and one behind Weber State (6-1), which won at Idaho State in overtime and moved into first place.

But just as impressive was the entire Montana defensive effort. The Grizzlies combined a smothering match-up zone defense with an active, switching man-on defense, and held Vikings’ point guard Jeremiah Dominguez to five points. The Vikings, the league’s most efficient three-point-shooting team, shot a sub-par 9-for-26 from beyond the arc for a 34.6 percent mark.

“All week all we were talking about was Dominguez,” said Hasquet. “That’s who we wanted to stop. We did a good job of that, and that was the difference in the game.

“And, I mean, we had some breakdowns, but we’ve taken a lot of pride in defense these last few weeks,” said Hasquet. “That’s going to be our motto.” 

The result of that intensive defensive play saw the Grizzlies hold the Vikings to 44 percent from the field overall, while limiting them to 10 points below their league-leading average of 75.1 points per game. Montana also out-rebounded the Vikings by seven, 36-29.

“We mixed and matched defenses,” said Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle. “I thought it kept them from really getting into a rhythm. And I thought the energy they had to expend really helped us out down to the last couple of minutes. Our guys really bought into the game plan and did a nice job,” said Tinkle.

PHOTOS: Kyle Sharp dunks the ball for two of his 15 points in first half action. Wendell Wright and Dominic Waters look on. Jordan Hasquet (bottom) drives against Tyrell Mara for two of his 11 second-half points.

Nonetheless – borrowing a description of the game by Montana point guard Anthony Johnson – the game was a prize-fight from start to finish, with six ties and 10 lead changes.

"I told you it was going to be a knock-down drag-out fight," said Johnson. "It was nothing less than a heavyweight championship fight."

The Vikings extended a five-point 34-29 halftime lead to eight before Hasquet took charge in the early minutes of the second half. Hasquet scored eight of Montana’s next 16 points on a variety of drives and pivot & post moves to lead a 16-2 surge which resulted in a 50-43 Montana lead with 11:09 remaining.

I wanted to pick it up right from the start when I got in there in the second half,” said Hasquet. “And I was able to do it a little bit,” he said.

Game photos of Montana's 68-59 win over Northern Colorado

Game photos of Montana's 68-59 win over the Northern Colorado Bears are now available at the Grizzly Journal Flickr photo site, which you can access HERE.

Junior Anthony Johnson led the Montana Grizzlies to a 68-59 win over the  Bears before 3594 fans in Missoula on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Johnson scored 18 points to lead the Grzzlies in scoring. Senior forward Jordan Hasquet scored 13 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists in the nine-point Griz win.

On Monday, Johnson was named Co-Big Sky Player of the Week with Sacramento State guard Loren Leath.

From the Big Sky release:

Johnson, a 6-2 junior from Tacoma, Wash., averaged 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and two assists per game as Montana won two games to move to 5-3 in conference.

Johnson scored 21 points with five rebounds and three assists in a 63-50 road win over Eastern Washington on Wednesday. Johnson made 9-of-16 field goals, and went 2-of-3 from the free-throw line.

Johnson scored 18 points, hitting 9-of-11 free-throws in a 68-59 win over Northern Colorado in Missoula on Sunday. Johnson had two rebounds and an assist.

Johnson made 52 percent of his field goals, 50 percent of his 3-pointers, and 78.6 percent of his free throws in the two games. 

PHOTO: Montana point guard Anthony Johnson takes the ball upcourt on early offense during first half action. Northern Colorado forward Mike Proctor defends. The Grizzlies moved to 5-3, good for third place in the Big Sky Conference at the halfway mark in league play. Montana hosts the league leading Portland State Vikings in Missoula, Thursday, Jan. 29.

Read the game story HERE.

Quick-start offense, steady defense give Montana 68-59 win over Northern Colorado

For the second-straight Big Sky Conference game, the Montana Grizzlies parlayed relaxed shooting and defensive intensity into a quick jump start, a big early lead, and a 36-minute, 27-second performance that produced.

The last 3:33 – when sloppy Montana play nearly backfired, though it irked several Griz starters – ended up not mattering.

And so the final result was a 68-59 win over the Northern Colorado Bears that positioned the Grizzlies at 5-3 (11-9), good for third place through the first half of league play behind league leaders Portland State (6-1) and Weber State (6-1).

“To me it’s Portland State, Weber State and Montana right now,” said Northern Colorado coach Tad Boyle.  “They’re the contenders in this league, and everybody else is just pretenders. I really think that.”

It won’t take long to find out because the going gets tougher Thursday for the Grizzlies, who now must focus on the defending champ Vikings, a team that has beaten the Griz by a combined score of 180-101 over teams’ the last two conference clashes. The Vikings’ 108-52 thrashing of the Griz in Dahlberg Arena last year was one of the three worst losses in Montana history.

“We’re five and three. we’re a win away from the leaders,” said Montana coach Wayne Tinkle. “We’ve played at three of the tougher places in the league to play. So now we’re going to...  just focus on Portland State.

“We’ve got to put together a game plan that will give us the best chance to win here on Thursday night,” said Tinkle.

PHOTOS: Junior wing Jack McGillis scores in traffic during first half action. McGillis had five points, eight rebounds and two steals. (bottom) Senior point guard Ceylon Elgin Taylor returned to action after an absence (personal issues) of more than a month.

Montana’s impressive play came from a suddenly much deeper squad at every position, thanks to a businesslike return performance from senior point guard Ceylon Elgin-Taylor, who’d been sidelined by personal issues since mid December. 

Though Elgin-Taylor’s stat-line didn’t show much, his steady play as junior point guard Anthony Johnson’s backup gave the Griz the muscle and leadership ET had provided before his month-long ineligibility.

Elgin-Taylor seemed more relieved than anything during the post-game celebration.