Second Half Explosion Leads Lady Griz to Win over Houston
12/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The University of Montana erupted for 55 second-half points as the Lady Griz defeated the University of Houston 93-72 Saturday afternoon in the first round of the Mississippi State Classic.
Montana, now 6-1, led only by three points at halftime, 38-35, before catching fire in the second half. With the score tied 40-40 early in the second half, UM freshman center Crystal Baird scored the first seven points of a 9-2 run which gave the Lady Griz a little breathing room at 49-42.
Following two free throws by Houston's Valerie Muoneke, Montana reeled off 21 unanswered points to break the game open at 70-44 with approximately 9 minutes left in the game.
Montana made 20 of 32 (62.5 percent) of its shots in the second half, and finished 37 of 69 (53.6 percent) for the game. Houston, now 6-2, shot 25-for57 (43.9 percent) for the contest.
Senior Cheryl Keller paced Montana with 21 points, including 12 in the second half. Three other players scored in double figures, led by Julie Deming with 15 points. Baird and Simarron Schildt added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Montana also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Cougars 40-31. Hollie Tyler grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Montana's defense also forced 19 turnovers, including nine steals.
Sophomore Chandi Jones, last year's Conference USA Freshman of the Year, scored a game-high 23 points, including 13 in the first half.
The Lady Griz will play in the championship game Sunday at 2 p.m. (MST) against the winner of the Mississippi State-Jacksonville State game.
Montana, now 6-1, led only by three points at halftime, 38-35, before catching fire in the second half. With the score tied 40-40 early in the second half, UM freshman center Crystal Baird scored the first seven points of a 9-2 run which gave the Lady Griz a little breathing room at 49-42.
Following two free throws by Houston's Valerie Muoneke, Montana reeled off 21 unanswered points to break the game open at 70-44 with approximately 9 minutes left in the game.
Montana made 20 of 32 (62.5 percent) of its shots in the second half, and finished 37 of 69 (53.6 percent) for the game. Houston, now 6-2, shot 25-for57 (43.9 percent) for the contest.
Senior Cheryl Keller paced Montana with 21 points, including 12 in the second half. Three other players scored in double figures, led by Julie Deming with 15 points. Baird and Simarron Schildt added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Montana also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Cougars 40-31. Hollie Tyler grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
Montana's defense also forced 19 turnovers, including nine steals.
Sophomore Chandi Jones, last year's Conference USA Freshman of the Year, scored a game-high 23 points, including 13 in the first half.
The Lady Griz will play in the championship game Sunday at 2 p.m. (MST) against the winner of the Mississippi State-Jacksonville State game.
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