North Dakota makes return to Missoula as non-conference opponent

Montana vs. North Dakota
Friday / 7 p.m. / Missoula, Mont.

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Just two years after leaving the Big Sky Conference for the Summit League, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks are making a return to Missoula (Friday, 7 p.m.). The game is part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.

Griz fans likely have many positive memories of the brief time the two teams spent as league foes. Montana holds a strong record over North Dakota, with Travis DeCuire a perfect 8-0. The Grizzlies are 10-1 against North Dakota in Missoula, with the only loss coming all the way back in 1964.

The last meeting in Missoula was a memorable one, as Montana put together one of its greatest offensive games in school history. The Grizzlies ran away with a 30-point victory, scoring 109 points – the most by the program since 1991.

Friday's contest will kick-start an exciting weekend for Griz fans. On Saturday, Montana football hosts Southeastern Louisiana in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Fans can get half-price tickets to Friday's basketball game by showing their football ticket at the Adams Center box office. Additionally, all UM students – who get in free to every game – can take advantage of several giveaways, including free pizza, a free Griz beanie and potential cash prizes.

Friday is fans' last chance to see Montana at home until Big Sky play opens on Dec. 28.

Griz Basketball on Friday night, and Griz Football on Saturday!? There is no better way to spend the weekend! 🏈🏀

🎫 Purchase a football ticket and show it at the game on Friday for half price general admission to the basketball game!#GoGriz #UpWithMontana pic.twitter.com/Bzzo9gRX7D
— Montana Grizzlies (@UMGRIZZLIES) December 4, 2019

BIG SKY-SUMMIT LEAGUE CHALLENGE
The contest vs. North Dakota is part of a four-year agreement between the Big Sky Conference and the Summit League, featuring two games per year – one at home and one on the road.

The participating teams include Montana, Eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana State from the Big Sky; and North Dakota, North Dakota State, Omaha and South Dakota State from the Summit League.

A season ago, the Grizzlies went 2-0 in the challenge, beating North Dakota State at home and snapping South Dakota State's nation's-best home winning streak to close non-conference. Overall, the conferences split last year's slate 4-4, with Montana going 2-0, Montana State and Idaho going 1-1 and Eastern Washington going 0-2. The series continues in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

GRIZ BITS

The Grizzlies are 3-1 at home this season, winning two in a row.
According to KenPom's respected rankings, which accounts for Division-I competition, Montana has played the nation's eighth-toughest schedule so far this season. The Grizzlies' four DI losses have come to opponents with a combined record of 30-4.
Montana used just eight players through the first four games of the season, before adding senior Jared Samuelson to the rotation at Washington. Four of the team's main rotation players are freshmen.
Montana has used the same starting lineup in each of the past four games. Overall, the Grizzlies have started two true freshmen in every game.
While Montana's offense has started to hit more consistently, the defense has held its own all season, limiting all eight opponents to 74 points or fewer (66.2 average). Just one opponent (Washington) scored more points against the Griz than its season average.
The Grizzlies have also forced opponents into .291 three-point shooting and 13.9 turnovers per game.
Through four games, Montana averaged just 3.8 made three-pointers per game and was shooting 25.0 from beyond the arc. In the four games since, the Grizzlies are averaging 6.8 three-point makes per game (opponents are making 4.25 per game during that span, including Washington, which went 0-for-11).
Through Montana's first three games against DI competition, the Griz averaged 20.0 turnovers per game. In the past three, the team is averaging just 11.0 per game. Montana turned the ball over just six times at New Mexico.
Montana has forced at least five steals in every game this season.
The Grizzlies have recorded four or more blocks in six of eight games this season.
Montana has attempted just 14 free throws in the past two games combined.
Montana did not lead at halftime in its first five contests, but has held the lead in its past two home games. Overall, the Grizzlies have out-scored their opponents in just four of 16 halves this season (twice in the first half, twice in the second).
Montana already has five scoring runs of more than eight points (14-0 vs. Stanford; 13-0 vs. MSU Northern; 11-0 vs. MSU Northern; 9-0 vs. Washington; 8-0 vs. Washington).

SCOUTING NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota is 4-5 on the season, winning three of its past four games after starting the year 1-4.
UND has made nearly 80 percent of its free-throw attempts, which ranks 11th nationally.
The Fighting Hawks average nearly 40 rebounds per game and hold a +6.9 rebounding margin (+6.9).
On the flip side, the Fighting Hawks turn the ball over nearly 16 times per game (324th) and allow opponents to shoot at a .373 clip from beyond the arc (308th).
UND has used the same starting lineup in all nine games.
A trio of Fighting Hawks are averaging at least 13.0 points per game, led by 6-9 sophomore Filip Rebraca's 15.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game (57th in NCAA). He also leads the team with a .628 field-goal percentage (24th) and 17 blocked shots.
Rebraca has five double-doubles in nine games this season.
Senior guard Marlon Stewart is averaging 14.1 points per game while pacing the Fighting Hawks with 38 assists. A season ago, after missing the first half of the season (academics), he was the team leader for scoring, minutes and assists.
Redshirt freshman guard De'Sean Allen-Eikens is chipping in with 13.2 points per game. In his collegiate debut, he scored 22 points while adding eight rebounds and six assists in a win over Crown College.
The Fighting Hawks went 12-18 a season ago, including 6-10 in their first season in the Summit League. UND returned three starters from last year's team.
UND advanced to the NCAA tournament as recently as 2016-17.
Paul Sather is in his first season at UND, previously serving at Northern State, where he was his league's back-to-back coach of the year and helped the Wolves to the NCAA Division II championship game in 2018.

SERIES VS. THE FIGHTING HAWKS

In a series that began in 1929-30, Montana is 18-5 all-time vs. North Dakota.
Montana has won eight in a row in the series, all under Travis DeCuire (8-0 vs. UND).
The Grizzlies are 10-1 in Missoula, with the only loss coming during the 1964-65 season.
The last time UND visited Missoula, Montana scored 109 points in a 30-point blowout.
The last meeting in the series came during the 2018 Big Sky quarterfinals, in Reno, Nevada.
Three Grizzlies have played against UND, including Sayeed Pridgett (four games), who recorded a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) during the 2018 quarterfinals.

MOVIN' ON UP
In March, Sayeed Pridgett became the 34th member of Montana's 1,000-point scoring club. Pridgett has already passed nine players this season on the all-time scoring list, and currently ranks 18^th with 1,216 career points scored. He's in position to pass several more in the upcoming games and move into the top 15.

How good has the competition been so far this season? Montana's 4 DI losses have come to teams with a combined record of 30-4.#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/tX0XhDgdNA
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) December 4, 2019

INDIVIDUALLY SPEAKING

#0 Kyle Owens – Has started seven contests... Ranked second on team with 14 points vs. Montana Tech, including perfect 10-for-10 from free-throw line... Reached double figures for first time with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting vs. MSU Northern... Made collegiate debut at Stanford, scoring three points.
#1 Timmy Falls – Has started last four contests... Has been in double figures in three of past five games after averaging 2.0 ppg through three contests... Totaled season-high 14 points vs. Coppin State, in addition to leading UM with two blocked shots... Scored seven straight points against the Eagles to help UM jump out to early lead; scored 11 points through game's first 10 minutes... Earned first start of season at Washington, leading UM with four assists and two steals... Played career-high 38 minutes vs. Montana Tech, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, in addition to three steals.
#2 Kendal Manuel – Has made 13 consecutive free throws after leading Big Sky in 2019... Has a 10:2 assist-to-turnover ratio over past two games, after starting season 6:10... Was in double figures for scoring in five straight games from Nov. 16-29... Connected on three three-pointers vs. Coppin State, leading to 11 points and career-high six assists compared to one turnover (previous high was three)... Has made at least two three-pointers in five contests... Led UM for scoring and minutes in two consecutive games (Nov. 18-22)... Scored 15 points at Washington and career-high 25 vs. Montana Tech, making 10 shots... Began season shooting 6-of-27 (.222) before recent surge.
#3 Josh Vazquez – Ranks third on team with 29.3 mpg, including 35 off bench at New Mexico... Has started four games... Has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in two straight games after not doing so once in first six... Has made two or more three-pointers in four straight games, including four at New Mexico (most by a Grizzly this season)... Scored career-high 16 points against the Lobos... Shot 3-of-5 from deep at Washington, totaling nine points... Prior to that performance, had missed 10 consecutive shots over three games... Had at least one steal in first five games... Scored 11 points in collegiate debut at Stanford.
#4 Sayeed Pridgett – Leads UM for minutes, scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocks... Has also turned the ball over team-high 28 times, but just five times over past three games... Ranks among Big Sky leaders for minutes (first, 15th in NCAA), scoring (second), steals (second), rebounding (sixth), assists (seventh), blocks (eighth) and shooting (14th)... Has led UM for scoring, rebounding and steals six times, and assists five times... Has scored at least 13 points in every contest, including career-high 30 vs. MSU Northern... Is one of three Big Sky players with three double-doubles, doing so in back-to-back games... Last week made his 500th career shot and currently holds a .540 career shooting percentage... Pulled down his 500th career rebound at New Mexico... Has twice (vs. MSU Northern, at Washington) scored 13 consecutive UM points; both instances turned a Griz deficit into a lead... Was limited to 28 minutes at Washington after fouling out.
#10 Eddy Egun – Recorded team-high six rebounds at Washington (career best)... Shot 2-of-3 from deep vs. the Huskies, making back-to-back three-pointers during 14-3 UM run to tie game... Made collegiate debut at Stanford, shooting 2-of-3 from deep for six points.
#23 Mack Anderson – Started first four games, the first starts of his career... Had team-high seven rebounds at Stanford (career best), also scoring nine points and blocking two shots... Has led UM for rebounding and blocked shots twice... Has played just 12 total minutes over past three games and has attempted one shot.
#33 Jared Samuelson – In 14 minutes of action, scored three points and pulled down three rebounds vs. Texas Southern... Played eight minutes at Washington (one rebound), his first game action with UM since March 7, 2017... Missed first four games with preseason knee injury.
#35 Derrick Carter-Hollinger – Has started past five games, playing a career-high 31 minutes at New Mexico... Has made 13 of last 17 shots and is shooting .628 on the season (4th in Big Sky)... Has a block in six games, including three in a row... Recorded double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) vs. Coppin State, including four offensive rebounds... Tied for team lead with six rebounds at Washington... Has been in double figures for scoring three times this season... Has at least five rebounds in seven games... Made collegiate debut at Stanford, ranking second on team with 15 points (5-of-6 shooting)... Scored five consecutive Griz points to get UM within a possession in second half.

A LOOK BACK AT NEW MEXICO

Montana held New Mexico to 72 points, which was 21 points below the Lobos' season scoring average at home (93.0).
Montana didn't trail by double digits until the final 69 seconds and never trailed by more than 10 points.
After entering the game averaging 18.4 turnovers per game (307th nationally), Montana turned the ball over just six times on Sunday (season low), resulting in just three UNM points. Even more impressive, the Lobos entered the contest forcing 16.25 turnovers per game.
Montana had a season-best 12:6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Montana attempted a season-low seven free throws, compared to 35 attempts for the Lobos. The Grizzlies were called for 14 more fouls (29 to 15), with two Grizzlies fouling out and two more reaching four.
After struggling offensively in the first half, the Grizzlies shot .500 in the second (15-of-30), to narrowly out-shoot the Lobos on the day (.433 to .431).
Senior Sayeed Pridgett recorded a double-double for the second consecutive game, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. Pridgett again stuffed the stats sheet, also leading the Griz for assists (5) and steals (3). He also scored 10 of Montana's final 13 points.
Freshman Josh Vazquez had the best game of his young career, making four three-pointers and finishing the day with 16 points.
Freshman Derrick Carter-Hollinger was again efficient, making 3-of-4 shot attempts for seven points, in addition to four rebounds and a blocked shot.
Senior Kendal Manuel finished with eight points, but five of them came consecutively, including a big three-pointer that gave Montana a 50-49 lead with less than 9 minutes to play.
Both defenses were in lock-down mode from the start. Montana held New Mexico without a made field goal for 9:25 midway through the first half, with the Lobos missing 10 consecutive shots and turning the ball over three times during the stretch.
The Grizzlies built a 12-8 lead, but couldn't stretch it further as New Mexico forced Montana to miss seven straight shots at one point. Overall, the Grizzlies led for nearly 8 minutes in the opening stanza.
Following Montana's strong defensive spurt, New Mexico responded by making six consecutive shots – including four three-pointers – to take a 19-14 advantage with 6:51 remaining in the first half.
Montana tied the game at 24-24 with 2:54 remaining in the first half on a Vazquez three. The freshman also had a steal to start the 7-0 run. New Mexico responded with the game's next eight points to enter the locker room on top.
Vazquez again came through with a clutch three-pointer, tying the game at 40-40 with 13:02 to play. Montana took its only lead of the second half 4:26 later on a Manuel three-pointer.
Following Montana's brief lead, New Mexico responded by scoring 11 of the game's next 15 points. The Grizzlies were within four points with under 4 minutes to play, but were limited to 13 points in the final 9 minutes.

Gallery: (12/1/2019) MBB: at New Mexico (12.1.19)

LOOKING AHEAD
After a busy first month of the season, Montana will finally get a breather, going 11 days without a contest. The break in action will allow bodies to heal, but will also allow the student-athletes to focus on their academics, with finals week taking place next week. The Griz will close out non-conference play at Oregon (Dec. 18) and Omaha (Dec. 21).

Complete Game Notes in PDF format, including additional notes, stats, charts and player pages

TGIF! Friday night is going to be a fun one in Dahlberg Arena at the #GrizHoops game against North Dakota!

We have lots of great giveaways for @umontana students! 🍕📺 Get there early for your chance to win! #GoGriz #UpWithMontana pic.twitter.com/Y0vxT0fux1
— Montana Grizzlies (@UMGRIZZLIES) December 4, 2019

North Dakota makes return to Missoula as non-conference opponent

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mack Anderson

Derrick Carter-Hollinger

Eddy Egun

Timmy Falls

Kendal Manuel

Kyle Owens

Sayeed Pridgett

Jared Samuelson

Josh Vazquez

University of Montana Athletics

North Dakota makes return to Missoula as non-conference opponent

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mack Anderson

Derrick Carter-Hollinger

Eddy Egun

Timmy Falls

Kendal Manuel

Kyle Owens

Sayeed Pridgett

Jared Samuelson

Josh Vazquez

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