Grizzlies can’t overcome pair of UCSB runs

Tuesday, November 21

Malibu, Calif.

6PM (MT)

Montana

3-2

UC Santa Barbara

3-2

Montana

UC Santa Barbara

Photo by: Martin A. Folb

11/21/2017 9:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By: Montana Sports Information

MALIBU, Calif. – Tuesday was a game of runs. UC Santa Barbara began the game on a big run, and once Montana fought back to overcome it, the Gauchos went on another en route to an 80-73 victory to win the Malibu Regional of the Progressive Legends Classic.

UC Santa Barbara (3-2) opened with the game's first eight points and jumped out to a 25-7 advantage to lead by as many as 18 points.

"I can do a better job of preparing offensively," head coach Travis DeCuire said. "I thought we had a pretty decent package set to go, and we just lacked execution early. We had a hard time and started pressing and took some bad shots and made some turnovers, and they made big shots early."

The Grizzlies (3-2) overcame a poor offensive effort early to shoot 10-of-20 over the final 10 minutes of the first half and get within five, thanks to a 20-7 run of its own.

Then the Grizzlies came out of the intermission on fire, making nine of their first 11 shots to go on a 19-6 run and take their first lead of the night on a three-pointer by Bobby Moorehead.

"Sometimes you fight a little harder when your back's against the wall," DeCuire said.

(11/21/2017) MBB vs. UC Santa Barbara

Ahmaad Rorie and Jamar Akoh each had four points during the second-half run, in addition to a dunk by Fabijan Krslovic, an inside look by Sayeed Pridgett, a three-point play by Michael Oguine and Moorehead's trey.

Montana held leads at 46-44 and 48-46, but following the latter lead, with 12:51 remaining, UC Santa Barbara spurted off 13 consecutive points to push the Griz deficit to double digits once again.

"It took a lot of energy to dig ourselves out of a hole, and once we got it back and got a lead, we went cold again," DeCuire said. "We had two long spurts of brain farts – not executing on either side of the ball."

Montana would get within two possessions on several occasions, including down five with 1:12 to play, but the Grizzlies missed both free throws that would have trimmed UCSB's lead to just three.

Junior Ahmaad Rorie once again filled up the stats sheet, recording 20 points to go along with six assists and four steals in 40 minutes of action. He was one of four Grizzlies in double figures for scoring, as Montana shot better than 50 percent over the final 30 minutes of the game.

Oguine had 14 points and four assists, while Akoh had 12 points – all in the second half. Freshman Karl Nicholas had a career night for the second game in a row, totaling 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, in addition to five rebounds in 28 minutes on the floor.

The Grizzlies feel as though both of their losses this season were winnable games, and will look to improve prior to Sunday's game vs. Carroll – Montana's second home contest of the season.

"We're going to compete and we'll see who wants it this week in practice," DeCuire said. "We'll take a lot from this and will be a better team next week."

Additional Notes

Montana forced UCSB into 21 turnovers, nearly three times the Gauchos' season average. UCSB entered the game ranked fifth nationally, committing just 8.0 turnovers per game (32 all season).
The Grizzlies won the rebounding edge, 32-30, marking the fourth consecutive game that Montana has out-rebounded its opponent. Montana had more offensive rebounds (17) than defensive (15).
Ahmaad Rorie increased his team-best scoring average with 20 points. In addition to his 20 points, Rorie also added six assists and four steals while playing all 40 minutes.
Montana had four players in double figures for scoring: Rorie (20), Oguine (14), Akoh (12) and Nicholas (10). Additionally, Moorehead had nine points on three three-pointers.
Both teams shot better than 50 percent in the second half. The Grizzlies made 53.1 percent, compared to 64.7 percent for the Gauchos.
After starting the game just 2-for-15 from the floor, Montana closed the game shooting better than 50 percent (25-of-48) over the final 30 minutes.
A total of 10 players finished the game with four or more fouls, including three players who fouled out.
The Gauchos took 35 free-throw shots, making 28 (80 percent). Montana was 13-of-21 (61.9 percent).
Montana made five of seven shots late down the stretch, but UCSB was just as good, making seven of its final nine shot attempts.
UCSB blocked eight Montana shot attempts.