Tyler, Baird Propel Lady Griz Past UTPA
12/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Hollie Tyler and Crystal Baird scored 16 points apiece to lift the Montana Lady Griz to a 60-50 victory over Texas-Pan American Saturday night in the first round of the 23rd Annual Lady Griz Holiday Classic.
Montana (7-2) advances to Sunday's championship game at 8 p.m. against Utah, which upset 14th-rated Mississippi State 69-65 in the other first round contest. Mississippi State and Texas-Pan American will square off in the consolation game at 6 p.m.
Tyler and Baird, a pair of 6-foot-3 sophomore centers, sparked Montana in the second half, combining to score 20 of the team's 29 points. The duo finished the night shooting a combined 14-for-20. They also combined for 13 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 steals.
UTPA (0-9) appeared poised to pull off the second upset of the night, taking a 44-37 lead with 15:45 left in the game. But that's when Montana went on an 11-2 run to take a 48-46 lead with 10:39 to play.
A minute later, UM head coach Robin Selvig inserted Baird into the lineup alongside Tyler for the first time this season. After a 3-pointer by UTPA's Alex Gravel, her sixth of the game, put the Lady Broncos ahead 49-48 with 9:20 remaining, the Lady Griz took over, holding the Lady Broncos to one point the rest of the game.
LeAnn Montes gave Montana the lead for good with a 3-pointer and then Baird scored five straight points to put the Lady Griz up 56-49 with 5:30 on the clock. Following a free throw by Amanda Carlow, Tyler scored the final four points of the game.
For Baird, her 16 points were a career-high. She had scored 15 points in two of the previous three games. For Tyler, she has now scored at least 14 points in every game this season.
Lynsey Monaco also had a strong overall night, collecting seven rebounds, including five off the offensive glass, to go along with four assists and a pair of steals.
Montana (7-2) advances to Sunday's championship game at 8 p.m. against Utah, which upset 14th-rated Mississippi State 69-65 in the other first round contest. Mississippi State and Texas-Pan American will square off in the consolation game at 6 p.m.
Tyler and Baird, a pair of 6-foot-3 sophomore centers, sparked Montana in the second half, combining to score 20 of the team's 29 points. The duo finished the night shooting a combined 14-for-20. They also combined for 13 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 steals.
UTPA (0-9) appeared poised to pull off the second upset of the night, taking a 44-37 lead with 15:45 left in the game. But that's when Montana went on an 11-2 run to take a 48-46 lead with 10:39 to play.
A minute later, UM head coach Robin Selvig inserted Baird into the lineup alongside Tyler for the first time this season. After a 3-pointer by UTPA's Alex Gravel, her sixth of the game, put the Lady Broncos ahead 49-48 with 9:20 remaining, the Lady Griz took over, holding the Lady Broncos to one point the rest of the game.
LeAnn Montes gave Montana the lead for good with a 3-pointer and then Baird scored five straight points to put the Lady Griz up 56-49 with 5:30 on the clock. Following a free throw by Amanda Carlow, Tyler scored the final four points of the game.
For Baird, her 16 points were a career-high. She had scored 15 points in two of the previous three games. For Tyler, she has now scored at least 14 points in every game this season.
Lynsey Monaco also had a strong overall night, collecting seven rebounds, including five off the offensive glass, to go along with four assists and a pair of steals.
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