Griz wrap up regular-season schedule at NAU Saturday afternoon
3/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 7, 2014
THE GAME: The University of Montana Grizzlies (12-7/17-11) conclude their Big Sky Conference regular-season schedule on the road, playing the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (11-8/14-16) in yet another crucial league game for the teams, Saturday. March 8. Tip-off is at 3:05 p.m. in NAU's Walkup Skydome.
NEXT?: The Griz will compete in the Big Sky's 2014 post-season tournament, March 13-15, hosted by Weber State in Ogden, Utah.
RADIO/TV: Tom Schultz calls the play-by-play on Montana's flagship station, KGVO 1290 AM/ & 101.5 FM, and the Grizzly Radio Network from Learfield Sports (listed on add 4).
TV: It will air on FOX Sports Arizona PLUS television: DISH: 452 SD, 9574 HD, and FOX College Sports Central will also carry it live.
AUDIO STREAMING: gogriz.com/all-access.
LIVE STATS: gogriz.com/all-access.
VIDEO STREAMING: www.watchbigsky.com.
EARLIER THIS SEASON: NAU 73, at MONTANA 65: The Jacks had three players combine for 62 points in the Big Sky opener for the teams. The loss snapped a 31-game home win streak in league games by the Griz. UM tied the game for the fourth and final time at 41-41 on a lay-up by Kareem Jamar, but NAU took the lead back on a jumper by Max Jacobsen and led the rest of the way. Jordan Gregory's two free throws with 1:32 left cut NAU's lead to a point (66-65), but Quinton Upshur hit a 3-pointer and four free throws, gave the Jacks a 71-65 lead with 22 seconds left.
Jamar led UM with 21 points, while Gregory had 17. Aaseem Dixon led NAU with a game-high 23 points.
COACH TINKLE SECOND IN CAREER WINS AT MONTANA/SIXTH IN BSC HISTORY: Head Coach Wayne Tinkle's 158 wins rank him second in school history, as he passed Mike Montgomery, who had 154 career wins in eight seasons from 1979-86. Tinkle's 157 career wins rank him sixth in Big Sky history. (See add 2-2-2).
JAMAR FIFTH AT UM/16TH IN THE BIG SKY IN CAREER POINTS/ FOURTH AT UM/19TH IN THE BSC IN CAREER ASSISTS: Jamar's 1,638 career points rank him fifth all-time at Montana, and he's 16th in scoring in Big Sky history. Jamar's 403 career assists rank him fourth at UM, and 19th in league history.
"HUTCH" PLAYING IN HIS 100TH: Griz senior center Eric Hutchison will be playing in his 100th career game at NAU.
MONTANA GRIZZLIES (12-7/17-11)--------PPG--RPG--MISC.
C-45-Eric Hutchison, 6-9, 243, Sr., 3V--3.9--2.0--51.6 FG%
G-1-Mario Dunn, 6-0, 171, Fr., HS--6.6--2.6--55.9 FG%
G-10-Jordan Gregory, 6-2, 194, Jr., 2V--13.9--3.0--86.1 FT%
G-15-Keron DeShields, 6-2, 177, Jr., 2V--12.2--2.8--50.4 FG%
G/F-32-Kareem Jamar, 6-5, 207, Sr., 2V--18.9--5.6--4.2 apg
6-33-Mike Weisner, F, 6-7, 193, Jr., 2V--8.3--2.6--47.0 3PT% & 94.4 FT%
6-41-Andy Martin, C, 7-0, 222, So., 1V--2.4--2.0--52.1 FG% & 18 blks.
6-24-Chris Kemp, F, 6-7, 236, Jr., JC--2.9--2.1--60.0 FG%
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (Montana, 2005/158-89, 8th year at UM
NAU LUMBERJACKS (11-8/14-16)----------PPG--RPG--MISC.
F-32-Gaellan Bewernick, 6-6, 215, Jr., 2V--7.4--6.1--30 starts
F-33-Max Jacobsen, 6-8, 230, Sr., 2V--12.3--4.1--58.8 FG%
F-34-Jordyn Martin, 6-7, 210, So., 1V--2.8--4.0--62.3 FG%
G-2-Quinton Upshur, 6-5, 207, Jr., JC--15.8--3.3--1.7 stl pg
G-4-Kris Yanku, 6-4, 183, Fr., HS--9.7--2.8 apg--83.5 FT%
6-1-Aaseem Dixon, G, 6-0, 185, Jr., JC--10.9--2.7--78.7 FT%
Head Coach: Jack Murphy (Arizona, 2002/2nd season at NAU: 14-29)
SERIES: The Griz lead 61-32. Montana has won nine of the last 11.
QUOTING COACH Wayne Tinkle:
ON NAU: "They're a very good team and have had a lot of success this year. They're going to be playing with a lot of emotion. It's their last home game, plus it's senior night, plus they want to build some momentum going into the league tournament. We just need to be focused on what we need to do, and play our best to have a chance to win, and maybe some of that will backfire on them. But, they are awfully talented.
"They beat us in Missoula, and we certainly want to get revenge there, and we know that if we can get the win Saturday that we are assured of second place. That would be a heck of a comeback, considering the way that we started conference play."
ON THE GRIZ: "It's a credit to our guys in hanging in there and finding ways to get better every day. We knew early-on that it was chemistry, and they just continued to work hard, believe in each other, and got a little better day-by-day. When we had some frustrating losses they did not let that get them down. It really is a tribute to them and all they have done, to come as far as they have."
ON NEXT WEEK'S BIG SKY TOURNEY: "If you look at the number of losses in league, it's got to be one of the all-time highs. Usually there are one or two teams that run away with it (the regular-season championship). It's a very balanced league this year. Everybody has knocked off everybody. So, that tournament (in Ogden) is going to be kind of a pick-em type deal. We just hope to be there and have the momentum continue, and see if we can't make another run at a title."
