Lady Griz Win Fifth Straight, 67-51 Over Western Michigan
1/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Montana Lady Griz had four players reach double figures and used another smothering defensive performance to win their fifth straight game, 67-51, over Western Michigan on Friday night in front of 3,254 at Dahlberg Arena. Sophomore Jody McLeod and senior Julie Deming both had 15 points and the UM defense held the Broncos, who entered the game averaging over 75 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting, to 51 points and 28.8 percent shooting.
Junior Hollie Tyler, who entered the game needing 14 points to become the 21st Montana player to reach 1,000 career points, had 13 points and 13 rebounds, her sixth double-double of the season and 29th of her career. The 6-3 center also had four blocks, giving her 19 in her last five games, and two steals.
Sophomore Katie Edwards was UM's other double-figure scorer, totaling 14 points and four assists.
The first half was a story of runs as Montana ran out to a quick 11-2 run less than five minutes into the game. Western Michigan came back with a big run of its own, 17-3 over the next five minutes, to take a 19-14 lead, but the Lady Griz closed the half on a 22-8 run to take a 36-27 lead to the locker room.
Senior Brooklynn Lorenzen hit a 3-point shot just nine seconds into the second half to push the lead to 12, 39-27. The Broncos would not come within 10 points the rest of the way.
Lorenzen had five points, six rebounds and no turnovers in 32 minutes at the point.
No bench player had more than two points for the Lady Griz.
Casey Rost had 21 points and seven rebounds to lead Western Michigan.
Montana shot 55.6 percent in the first half and 45.3 percent for the game, its third-best shooting performance of the season. Nineteen of UM's 24 field goals came by way of assist.
The Lady Griz will be on the road for their next two, playing at Gonzaga on Sunday and at Colorado State on Tuesday. Montana will play its final non-conference game a week from Saturday when it hosts No. 25 Utah.
Junior Hollie Tyler, who entered the game needing 14 points to become the 21st Montana player to reach 1,000 career points, had 13 points and 13 rebounds, her sixth double-double of the season and 29th of her career. The 6-3 center also had four blocks, giving her 19 in her last five games, and two steals.
Sophomore Katie Edwards was UM's other double-figure scorer, totaling 14 points and four assists.
The first half was a story of runs as Montana ran out to a quick 11-2 run less than five minutes into the game. Western Michigan came back with a big run of its own, 17-3 over the next five minutes, to take a 19-14 lead, but the Lady Griz closed the half on a 22-8 run to take a 36-27 lead to the locker room.
Senior Brooklynn Lorenzen hit a 3-point shot just nine seconds into the second half to push the lead to 12, 39-27. The Broncos would not come within 10 points the rest of the way.
Lorenzen had five points, six rebounds and no turnovers in 32 minutes at the point.
No bench player had more than two points for the Lady Griz.
Casey Rost had 21 points and seven rebounds to lead Western Michigan.
Montana shot 55.6 percent in the first half and 45.3 percent for the game, its third-best shooting performance of the season. Nineteen of UM's 24 field goals came by way of assist.
The Lady Griz will be on the road for their next two, playing at Gonzaga on Sunday and at Colorado State on Tuesday. Montana will play its final non-conference game a week from Saturday when it hosts No. 25 Utah.
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