Montana uses 2nd-half run to break away from Texas Southern

Monday, November 25

Missoula, Mont.

7 PM

Montana

2-4

Texas Southern

1-5

Texas Southern

Montana

Photo by: Tommy Martino

Montana uses 2nd-half run to break away from Texas Southern

11/25/2019 10:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By: Montana Sports Information

MISSOULA, Mont. – Travis DeCuire had been waiting for it to happen, and it finally did Monday night. The Grizzlies broke out of their season-long offensive slump and did so in a big way, making 11 consecutive shots during a 24-6 second-half run. The stretch allowed the Grizzlies to turn a 36-36 tie against Texas Southern – in a game that featured seven times and six lead changes early on – into a 60-46 advantage.

After neither team took more than a two-possession lead in the first half, the Grizzlies led by double digits for the final 12 minutes, leading to a 74-62 victory.

"I thought tonight was good for us," DeCuire said. "I think they're seeing hard work paying off a little bit. I love watching the fight in them, and that was a big question mark for us a couple weeks ago."

Montana shot 52 percent from the floor, including 62 percent in the second half. After missing their first six three-point attempts, the Grizzlies went 3-for-5 in the second stanza, including two big ones from freshman Josh Vazquez.

During Montana's run, Vazquez had eight points and an assist, leading to 10 points on the night. He was one of five Grizzlies in double figures for scoring, led by Sayeed Pridgett's 19 points. Kendal Manuel totaled 15, followed by 11 from Timmy Falls and 10 from Derrick Carter-Hollinger. Six different players scored during Montana's second-half run, including eight from Manuel.

Gallery: (11/25/2019) MBB: vs. Texas Southern (11.25.19)

Montana and Texas Southern were locked in a back-and-forth game early on, with neither team being able to take control of the contest. That started to change, however, with several key plays from Falls.

Tied at 21-21, Pridgett found a slashing Falls from underneath the basket for two quick points. On the other end, Falls took a charge before adding two more points with a fast-break alley-oop from Pridgett. Montana forced a turnover once again, with Carter-Hollinger coming up with the swipe and going coast to coast for a layup. Texas Southern was forced to call timeout, having given up six points in just 43 seconds.

"Our pace is better right now," DeCuire said. "The way we attacked the rim was good, getting 42 points in the paint, and a lot of it wasn't easy post-up stuff."

While Montana's 74 points were a season high, the defense was equally impressive. The Grizzlies held Texas Southern to 37.5 percent shooting, including a 26.7-percent clip from three-point range. Montana forced 17 turnovers and blocked four shots.

"Our attention to detail was strong," DeCuire said. "I thought defensively we did a good job of taking away their strengths. They had a hard time getting into the paint, which is really what they needed to do. Holding them under 40 percent from the field was big-time."

You can feel the energy in Dahlberg!#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/PN0P1vN744
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) November 26, 2019

Game Notables

Five Grizzlies were in double figures for scoring: Sayeed Pridgett (19), Kendal Manuel (15), Timmy Falls (11), Derrick Carter-Hollinger (10), Josh Vazquez (10).
Pridgett once again led Montana for minutes played, scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots.
The Grizzlies shot 51.9 percent from the floor, including 61.9 percent in the second half.
Montana forced Texas Southern into 17 turnovers, leading to 21 points. The Grizzlies also had 25 fast-break points and 42 points in the paint.
Montana did not trail over the final 30:14, leading by double digits for the final 12 minutes.
The freshmen paced Montana early, with Carter-Hollinger and Owens combining for 10 of Montana's first 13 points.
Jared Samuelson, who made his return to the Griz on Friday, scored his first points early in the first half, at the free throw line. It was his first Division-I points since March 7, 2017, and first in Dahlberg Arena since Feb. 18, 2017.
TSU didn't score a point for 3:50, allowing Montana to take a 17-15 lead. TSU was 0-for-5 with two turnovers during that stretch.
Following a 21-21 tie, Montana went on a 6-0 run over 43 seconds. UM took a 23-21 lead with 6 minutes to play on a nice pass from Pridgett on the baseline to a cutting Falls, who laid it in. On the other end, Falls took a charge before Pridgett again found a driving Falls at the rim. Montana took a 27-21 lead on a steal and bucket from Carter-Hollinger. It was the largest lead by either team up to that point.
Montana led at the half for the first time this season, 33-29
Montana never trailed in the second half, but was tied early on, including at 36-36. Montana then went on a 24-6 run, over 6:39, to build a double-digit lead. Montana made 11 consecutive shots during the run.
Montana improved to 2-0 all-time against Texas Southern and 6-0 vs. current members of the SWAC. Texas Southern is a perennial postseason team, playing in postseason tournaments in six consecutive seasons, including four NCAA tournaments.

Looking Ahead
Montana's busy week continues with a home date against Coppin State on Friday. The game is the final one in the Collegiate Hoops Roadshow, presented by AtmosAir. Fans can take advantage of a Black Friday discount, featuring buy-one-get-one-free general admission tickets.