Montana
Sacramento State
Grizzlies dominate Sac State in 68-52 win
1/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2011
Box Score
When sophomore guard Will Cherry made a three-pointer to take a 32-31 lead in the final seconds of the first half of The University of Montana Grizzlies' game against the Sacramento State Hornets, there was no indication that the game was going to end up being a blowout. But behind senior center Brian Qvale's 19 second half points the Grizzlies outpaced the Hornets on the way to a 68-52 victory at "The Nest."
Both teams were trying to rebound after losses on Thursday night. The Grizzlies (11-5, 3-1) suffered their first conference defeat at the hand of Northern Colorado and the Hornets (3-12, 0-4) were looking for their first conference victory of the season.
The first half was a seesaw affair including eight lead changes and five ties. Sacramento State took their biggest lead, a 29-24 advantage, with just 2:17 before the break after a jumper from senior forward Duro Bjegovic . The Grizzlies took advantage of the remaining time finishing with a 7-2 run culminating with Cherry's trey with :03 remaining.
Junior forward Art Stewerd scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half to lead all scorers.
The Grizzlies continued their hot streak on the other end of the break. Montana followed their pattern from previous games of getting the ball to Qvale to start the second half and he didn't disappoint scoring 12 of the Grizzlies' first 14 points of the frame.
With Qvale's hot hand on the offensive end of the court, the Grizzlies were equally impressive on the defensive end of the court hold the Hornet to just 21 second half points and 20-of-49 shooting (40.8%).
The Grizzlies were able to extend their lead to 22 (66-44) with 2:30 remaining in the game but Sac State ended the game on a 6-2 run to cut the final lead to 16.
Qvale ended the game with 23 points and a game high nine rebounds, Cherry ended with 18 points and seven assist.
Only two Sac state players scored in double-digits, Senior forward Sultan Toles-Bay scored 12 points for the Hornets and sophomore forward John Dickson added 10.
The Grizzlies head back to Missoula for next week's games against Eastern Washington (Thurs. Jan. 13, 7:05 p.m. mtn.) and Portland State (Sat. Jan 15, 7:05 p.m. mtn.)
