PDF versionTHE GAME: The fourth-seed University of Montana Grizzlies (19-9/10-6 Big Sky) host the fifth-seed Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (14-13/8-8 BSC) in a Big Sky Conference Tournament quarterfinal game, Saturday, March 6th. Tip-off in UM’s Adams Center/Dahlberg Arena (7,321) is at 7:05 p.m. (Mountain). The other quarterfinal game pits sixth-seed Portland State (12-18/7-9 BSC) at third-seed Montana State (15-13/10-6 BSC).
BIG SKY TOURNEY: If Montana wins Saturday it will advance to a Big Sky semifinal contest, playing either number one seed and host Weber State (19-9/13-3 BSC) or second-seed Northern Colorado (24-6/12-4), Tuesday, March 9. WSU plays the lowest remaining seed at 7:00 p.m., while UNC will play the highest remaining seed at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be played in WSU’s Dee Events Center (12,000) and aired on Altitude TV. WSU plays the lowest remaining seed, while UNC plays the highest seed left. The tournament championship game is Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.
GRIZ IN BSC TOURNEY: This is Montana’s 31st league postseason tournament berth -- the second most in Big Sky history (host WSU is making its 33rd appearance). UM has missed the postseason tourney only twice (1999 and 2001). The Grizzlies have a record of 25-24 in the tourney and have won six championships. (UM tourney history on add 6-6-6).
UM vs. NAU: The Grizzlies are 4-1 against the Jacks in the Big Sky’s postseason tourney:
1984: @UM 69, NAU 54 (1st Round)
1988: UM 77, NAU 72 (1st Round in Bozeman)
2002: UM 82, NAU 64 (Quarterfinal in Bozeman)
2006: UM 73, @NAU 60 (Championship)
2007: NAU 78, UM 71 (Semifinal in Ogden)
GRIZ LAST WEEK: Montana State 73, at Montana 67: Will Bynum scored 22 points, and MSU had four double-figure scorers as MSU swept UM during the regular-season. MSU led wire-to-wire and weathered a late run by the Griz. Anthony Johnson led UM with a season-high 31 points, but 14 of his points came in the last 1:34 of the game. Johnson got the Griz within four points (67-63) on a three-point shot with 51 seconds left, but the Cats then made 6-of-8 free throws to put the game out of reach. Derek Selvig was the only other Griz in double figures with 14 points. The Griz were out-rebounded 38-26.
MONTANA GRIZZLIES (19-9/10-6) PPG RPG MISC. NOTES
F-44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, 215, Sr., 1V 5.9 3.7 6 points in last 3 games
C-41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, 265, Jr., 2V 10.0 6.7 3rd in Sky at 63.6FG%
G-3- Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, 210, Sr., 3V 8.7 2.0 1st in Sky at 45.3 3PT%
G-5-Will Cherry, 6-1, 165, Fr., HS 8.4 2.6 Avgs. 9.9 ppg in league
G-23-Anthony Johnson, 6-3, 210, Sr., 1V 18.8 3.3 Avgs. 19.9 ppg in Sky
6-13-Michael Taylor, G, 6-4, 195, Jr., 1V 4.5 1.5 10th: Sky at 41.9 3PT%
6-24-Derek Selvig, F-C, 7-0, So., 1V 5.6 4.8 14/8 vs. Montana St.
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (67-52, 4th year at UM)
NAU LUMBERJACKS (14-13/8-8) PPG RPG MISC. NOTES
F-32-Nick Larson, 6-8, 225, Sr., 3V 6.8 6.4 5th in Sky at 6.4 reb. pg
C-42-Josh Lepley, 6-10, 210, So., 1V 5.4 3.8 58.4 FG%
G-10-Cameron Jones, 6-4, 185, Jr., 2V 19.3 4.7 3rd in Sky in scoring
G-11-Gabe Rogers, 6-2, 165, Fr., RS 9.3 1.7 20 points at Sac
G-12-Julian Olubuyi, 5-9, 175, Jr., JC 3.0 1.4 Has 24 starts
6-40-Shane Johansen, F, 6-7, 230, Jr., 2V 11.2 5.9 2nd in Sky at 64.8 FG%
Head Coach: Mike Adras (172-149, 11th season at NAU)
The Grizzly-Lumberjack Series: Montana leads 57-28.
EARLIER THIS SEASON: At Montana 71, NAU 54: In an early (Dec. 5) Big Sky opener for the teams, Johnson led UM with a game-high 22 points, and the Griz made 30-of-54 (55.6%) shots. The Jacks were led by Shane Johannsen with 16 points, and Cameron Jones had 12. UM led 34-31 at halftime. NAU out-rebounded UM 30-28.
Montana 84, at NAU 64: Johnson scored 28 and guard Will Cherry added a career-high 19 to lead the Grizzlies. The Griz shot 59.6% (31-of-52) from the field, including a 76.0% (19-of-25)in the second half. NAU made 24-of-55 (43.6%) shots. The Jacks were led by Jones with 22, and DeAngelo Jones added 14.