Montana guts out win, advances to Bahamas Showcase title game

Saturday, November 17

Nassau, Bahamas

3:00 PM (MT)

Montana

4-0

Miami (Ohio)

3-2

Miami (Ohio)

Montana

Photo by: John Marc Nutt, 10th Year Seniors

Montana guts out win, advances to Bahamas Showcase title game

11/17/2018 6:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Montana Sports Information

NASSAU, The Bahamas – When the Grizzlies begin playing basketball in March, more than likely, they'll sit back and remember Saturday afternoon and the grittiness they displayed in a comeback win over Miami (Ohio) to advance to the Islands of the Bahamas Showcase championship game.

Montana, which fought back to take a three-point lead with 6 minutes to play, found itself trailing by six, 68-62, with just over 3 minutes on the clock. Enter Ahmaad Rorie.

Up to that point, the senior had just six points. He scored nine over the next 3 minutes – knocking down three three-pointers – including a clutch shot as the shot clock was winding down, from way past NBA range, to give Montana a 71-69 lead with 13 seconds to play.

The RedHawks drove the length of the court to quickly tie the game at 71-71, but Sayeed Pridgett was fouled on his mid-range jumper from the corner with 1.2 seconds to play, and calmly knocked down both free throws to give the Grizzlies a big win.

"A couple years ago, I think we'd lose these games," head coach Travis DeCuire said. "We're finding ways to win. For Sayeed to not really have his night and still get to the free-throw line and make two free throws with virtually no time on the clock is huge. It's an example of a bunch of guys doing things that matter. We got a couple charges when we needed possessions, we changed our scheme off the ball screen on the fly, we had guys playing their part and executing."

Ahmaad Rorie for the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/fCsNInNXzA
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) November 18, 2018

Game Notes:

For the third consecutive game, Montana made at least half of its shots (50.0 percent, 23-of-46). Montana made 47.4 percent of its shots (9-of-19) from beyond the arc. In addition to Rorie's three late in the game, Donaven Dorsey had three treys, Kendal Manuel had two and Bobby Moorehead made one.
Manuel led all players with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting. With the Griz trailing by a season-high eight points, 42-34, Manuel scored eight straight UM points to bring the score to 46-42. Moments later, he gave Montana its largest lead of the second half with a three-point play (58-55).
Dorsey scored 14 points, including three three-pointers. His third trey came with 6:41 remaining in the game, and gave Montana its first lead of the second half (55-53).
Pridgett will be remembered for his two clutch free throws, but the junior also had three consecutive buckets early in the first half, including a steal and fast-break dunk.
Montana trailed in the first half 27-20 before closing on a 12-6 run to get within a point at the intermission.
Montana won despite being out-rebounded by double digits (33 to 22, including 15-6 on the offensive glass).
Montana has opened the season with four consecutive victories for the first time since 1995-96 (5-0).

Tie game. 1 second left. No problem for @SP4THABOY!#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/8To6AmRHkB
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) November 18, 2018

Quoting DeCuire:
(on the defense displayed by both teams)
"We hurt ourselves with turnovers and missed free throws, but really both teams did. It was a tale of two teams playing good defense and forcing turnovers."

(on the RedHawks' ability to rebound)
"That's a good team. They remind me of us a few years ago, a player or two away from competing in the NCAA tournament. They have some great pieces and it was a physical game. They crash the glass, and it was hard to keep them off of those offensive rebounds."

(on the focus over the next 24 hours)
"It's all business. We'll let them sleep in tomorrow, make breakfast and watch film. Then we'll go to the gym, watch a little more film and get our minds ready to battle."

Up Next:
Montana will advance to the Islands of the Bahamas championship game, set for 6 p.m. MT on Sunday night. The Grizzlies will play Georgia Southern, who used an 18-2 run over Pepperdine to erase a double-digit second-half deficit. Fans can watch the game by purchasing a subscription through bd Global or can listen on the Montana Grizzly Sports Radio Network.