Griz basketball downs Rocky 67-64
11/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Griz got off to a slow start Wednesday night in their first exhibition game of the season. A new coach, new players and a new offense all contributed to the team's first-game jitters.
"We have a lot of new guys on the team," senior shooting guard David Bell said. "With all the new faces and learning new stuff on offense, sure we were nervous."
But if Bell had butterflies, he didn't show it - especially in the second half.
Bell led all scorers with 25 points, including four three-pointers, to lead the Grizzlies to a 67-64 victory over Rocky Mountain College.
"We were down a little bit, but in the second half we started loosening up," Bell said. "I was never nervous that we were going to lose."
Turnovers early on and bad passes marked the first half of play.
"In the end, it was the turnovers that did us in," Rocky center Spencer Allred said.
Allred led his team with 22 points and went 10-15 from the field.
Allred's offensive contribution was supported by 16 points and three steals from his teammate Jake Stuart.
But Allred and Stuart had an advantage over the rest of the players on their team; they have both been Grizzlies before.
Two years ago, the two suited up in Montana maroon and silver before transferring to Rocky.
"I think it was a good switch for me," Allred said. "There was an added edge to playing here, but it was nice to have a good game."
And Rocky walked away Wednesday night feeling pleased about their performance, Allred said.
But on Montana's side of the bench, Bell said the team will be striving for improvement.
"We couldn't make shots," Bell said, "but that doesn't mean we weren't playing hard. We couldn't make offense, but our defense has really improved."
The Griz trailed most of the game until a surge midway through the second half. A trio of three-pointers from Bell helped revive the Grizzly offense and helped gain momentum. With two minutes left, the Griz led 62-57 and kept the edge for the remainder of the game.
The Griz will hold another free exhibition game next Wednesday when the team takes on the Son's of the Blue Angels. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
"We have a lot of new guys on the team," senior shooting guard David Bell said. "With all the new faces and learning new stuff on offense, sure we were nervous."
But if Bell had butterflies, he didn't show it - especially in the second half.
Bell led all scorers with 25 points, including four three-pointers, to lead the Grizzlies to a 67-64 victory over Rocky Mountain College.
"We were down a little bit, but in the second half we started loosening up," Bell said. "I was never nervous that we were going to lose."
Turnovers early on and bad passes marked the first half of play.
"In the end, it was the turnovers that did us in," Rocky center Spencer Allred said.
Allred led his team with 22 points and went 10-15 from the field.
Allred's offensive contribution was supported by 16 points and three steals from his teammate Jake Stuart.
But Allred and Stuart had an advantage over the rest of the players on their team; they have both been Grizzlies before.
Two years ago, the two suited up in Montana maroon and silver before transferring to Rocky.
"I think it was a good switch for me," Allred said. "There was an added edge to playing here, but it was nice to have a good game."
And Rocky walked away Wednesday night feeling pleased about their performance, Allred said.
But on Montana's side of the bench, Bell said the team will be striving for improvement.
"We couldn't make shots," Bell said, "but that doesn't mean we weren't playing hard. We couldn't make offense, but our defense has really improved."
The Griz trailed most of the game until a surge midway through the second half. A trio of three-pointers from Bell helped revive the Grizzly offense and helped gain momentum. With two minutes left, the Griz led 62-57 and kept the edge for the remainder of the game.
The Griz will hold another free exhibition game next Wednesday when the team takes on the Son's of the Blue Angels. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
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