Grizzlies Ride Second-Half Turnaround to Win
1/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana point guard Bryan Ellis turned a pair of backcourt steals into four points, breaking open a tie game midway through the second half and leading Montana to an 80-64 win over Montana State in Bozeman on Saturday.
Ellis' spurt came in the midst of a 19-4 UM run that gave the Grizzlies control they would not relinquish. "That was a huge momentum swing," Bobcat coach Mick Durham said of Ellis' baskets.
Montana answered a 48% first half from the field with 68% shooting in the second. "Montana is very talented offensively," Durham said. "They hit big shots. That's how you win on the road."
The Bobcats started well, building a 16-7 lead midway through the first half. The Grizzlies answered with a 7-0 run to tie the game, but MSU closed the first-half scoring with a three-pointer by Casey Durham then two Durham free throws. The 'Cats led 34-30 at the intermission.
Durham's three-pointer with 15:47 to play gave MSU its 47-40 lead, setting up Montana's run. Durham scored 17 points to lead the Bobcats, hitting 4-for-8 from the field -- all from three-point range -- and all five of his free throws. His points total is a season-high, and the second-highest total of his career.
Grizzly forward Matt Dlouhy led all players with 19 points, hitting all three of his three-point baskets during Montana's torrid second half. Andrew Strait scored 16 points, while Ellis had 12, Virgil Matthews 11, and Kevin Criswell 10.
Montana raises its record to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in Big Sky play. MSU stands 9-8 overall, 2-1 in the league.
Ellis' spurt came in the midst of a 19-4 UM run that gave the Grizzlies control they would not relinquish. "That was a huge momentum swing," Bobcat coach Mick Durham said of Ellis' baskets.
Montana answered a 48% first half from the field with 68% shooting in the second. "Montana is very talented offensively," Durham said. "They hit big shots. That's how you win on the road."
The Bobcats started well, building a 16-7 lead midway through the first half. The Grizzlies answered with a 7-0 run to tie the game, but MSU closed the first-half scoring with a three-pointer by Casey Durham then two Durham free throws. The 'Cats led 34-30 at the intermission.
Durham's three-pointer with 15:47 to play gave MSU its 47-40 lead, setting up Montana's run. Durham scored 17 points to lead the Bobcats, hitting 4-for-8 from the field -- all from three-point range -- and all five of his free throws. His points total is a season-high, and the second-highest total of his career.
Grizzly forward Matt Dlouhy led all players with 19 points, hitting all three of his three-point baskets during Montana's torrid second half. Andrew Strait scored 16 points, while Ellis had 12, Virgil Matthews 11, and Kevin Criswell 10.
Montana raises its record to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in Big Sky play. MSU stands 9-8 overall, 2-1 in the league.
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