Montana
Utah Valley
Griz top Utah Valley 65-52 in non-conference action
12/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2011
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Kareem Jamar and Mathias Wardscored 15 points each to lead the Montana Grizzlies to a 65-52 victory over the Utah Valley University Wolverines Thursday night at Dahlberg Arena in Missoula, Mont.
The game was the last non-conference game for Montana (7-5, 0-0). Utah Valley (6-8, 0-0) still has several weeks before they start play in the Great West.
The Grizzlies built an early 8-0 when Jamar and Derek Selvighit three-pointers in the first three minutes of the game but UVU stepped up their defense and held the Griz to 0-of-13 from three point range for the rest of the half while they climbed back into contention.
Isiah Williams had a steal and a three pointer in the final two seconds of the half to tie the game at 28-28 going into the break.
The Wolverines started the second half with steals and shots on the first two possessions and built a six point, 29-35 lead with 18:00 to play in the game. The Grizzlies then rattled off 11 unanswered points including two three-pointers by Selvig and one by Jamar to gain the 40-35 advantage with 15:39 to play.
The Grizzlies then picked up the defensive pressure and allowed the Wolverines to score just 15 points in the final 15 minutes of the game all while scoring 25.
"The first half we were getting wide open looks and we just weren't making them," Head Coach Wayne Tinklesaid. "The second half we were able to make some stops and were able to get some transition baskets which I think helped break the ice."
The Grizzlies shot 45.5% (7-of-11) from three-point range in second half and allowed the wolverines to hit just three shots from the field in the second frame.
Selvig had 13 points for Montana and seven rebounds.
Ben Aird was the only Utah valley player to score in double digits with 12 points. Geddes Robinson had a game high 10 rebounds.
The Grizzlies start conference action next week when they host Portland State Wednesday before Eastern Washington comes into Dahlberg Arena Friday night.
