PDF versionTHE GAME: The fourth-seed University of Montana Grizzlies (20-9/10-6 Big Sky) will play the second-seeded Northern Colorado Bears (24-6/12-4 BSC) in an American First Credit Union Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinal game, Tuesday, March 9th on Altitude TV. Tip-off in Weber State’s Dee Events Center (12,000) is at 4:30 p.m. (Mtn). The other semifinal pits top-seed and host WSU (19-9/13-3 BSC) against sixth-seed and defending tournament champion Portland State (13-18/7-9 BSC) in a 7:00 p.m. contest.
GRIZ IN BSC TOURNEY: This is Montana’s 31st berth in the Big Sky’s postseason tournament -- the second most in conference history (host WSU is making its 33rd appearance). UM is 26-24 in the tourney and 11-8 in semifinal games. The last semifinal game UM played in was a 78-71 loss to NAU in 2007 in Ogden. (UM tourney history on add 6-6-6).
UM vs. UNC: The Grizzlies and Bears have never met in the postseason.
GRIZ LAST WEEK: At Montana 81, NAU 60: Senior guard Anthony Johnson scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Grizzlies. With the win, UM racked up its 20th victory of the season. It is Montana’s first 20-win season since 2005-06 (24-7) and just the second time in the past 13 years the Griz have reached the 20-victory plateau.
The Grizzlies led by as many as 17 points (35-18) in the first half en route to a 39-25 lead at intermission. The second half was more of the same, as UM led by at least 13 points the rest of the way. Montana out-rebounded NAU 41-29, including 15 offensive boards. NAU was led by guard Cameron Jones with 21 points.
MONTANA GRIZZLIES (20-9/10-6 BSC) PPG RPG MISC. NOTES
F-44-Jack McGillis, 6-6, 215, Sr., 1V 5.9 3.6 Two-year starter
C-41-Brian Qvale, 6-11, 265, Jr., 2V 9.9 6.7 3rd in Sky at 61.4 FG%
G-3- Ryan Staudacher, 6-4, 210, Sr., 3V 8.7 1.9 2nd in Sky at 45.5 3PT%
G-5-Will Cherry, 6-1, 165, Fr., HS 8.5 2.8 11/9/6/4 in NAU win
G-23-Anthony Johnson, 6-3, 210, Sr., 1V 18.9 3.3 50.3FG%, 47.13PT%, 87.2FT%
6-13-Michael Taylor, G, 6-4, 195, Jr., 1V 4.4 1.5 7th: Sky at 42.9 3PT%
6-24-Derek Selvig, F-C, 7-0, So., 1V 5.7 4.8 9/6 in NAU victory
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (68-52, 4th year at UM)
UNC BEARS (24-6/12-4 BSC) PPG RPG MISC. NOTES
F-10-Chris Kaba, 6-8, 185, Jr., 1V 7.4 4.2 5th leading UNC scorer
F-33-Neal Kingman, 6-7, 220, Jr., 2V 7.1 3.6 Has 8 starts
F-41-Mike Proctor, 6-8, 220, So., 1V 7.9 5.7 52.9 FG%
G-2-Will Figures, 5-9, 155, Sr., 3V 16.7 3.7 5th in the Sky in scoring
G-20-Yohosh Bonner, 6-1, 215, Sr., 1V 6.1 1.2 Sky Defensive “POY”
6-44-Taylor Montgomery, F, 6-7, 235, Jr., 2V 8.4 4.6 UNC’s 3rd leading scorer
Head Coach: Tad Boyle (55-64, 4th year at UNC)
The Grizzly-Bears Series: Montana leads 10-3.
EARLIER THIS SEASON: UNC 59, at Montana 48: The Bears held the Griz to a season-low 48 points, and Johnson had his second lowest out-put of the year with just 7 points,
going 2-of-10 from the field. Griz center Brian Qvale had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Yohosh Bonner led UNC with 19 points and made 10-of-10 free throws, and the Bears were 25-of-30 from the line. UNC led 24-21 at halftime.
Montana 64, at UNC 62: Johnson (19 points) and fellow senior guard Ryan Staudacher (17 points) combined for 36 points en route to the win, and Selvig had his second career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. UM led 31-23 at the half. UNC had four players in double figures.
GRIZ TRAVEL PLANS: The team will leave early Sunday evening, March 7. Montana’s practice time is from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 8th at the Dee Events Center. Shoot-around on game day (March 8th) is 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lodging is at the Comfort Suites in Ogden (801-621-2545).