Tuesday, December 5
Missoula, Mont.
7 PM
Montana
4-4,0-0Big Sky
91
vs
67
MSU-Northern
0-1
1
2
F
Mont. St.-Northern
26
41
67
Montana
52
39
91
Photo by: Tanner Ecker/UM Photo
Griz handle business against Lights
12/5/2023 9:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Montana started fast and cruised for the entire night in a 91-67 win over MSU-Northern on Tuesday night in Missoula. The Grizzlies had a season-high 27 assists in an offensive clinic, and Laolu Oke brought the house down with a massive poster slam dunk that highlighted a fun night for Montana.
The Griz (4-4) had four different players in double figures and led for 39:45, shooting well over 50 percent in their second straight win. It was a complete team effort as nine different Grizzlies scored and 15 played.
"Our focus was where it needed to be," head coach Travis DeCuire said. "I thought defensively we were in all the right spots, we executed the scout well, but more importantly we shared the ball. When the ball moves, we get good shots. We're a good enough shooting team that when we get good looks we're going to make them."
Aanen Moody and Laolu Oke led the way with 18 points. Moody did it on 8-of-13 shooting. He also dished out six assists – one off his career high – and had four rebounds while going a game-best +32 in his minutes.
Oke shot 70 percent from the floor to reach his career-high 18 points. He also pulled down eight rebounds. He had four on the offensive end, which is the fifth different game he's recorded at least three on that end this season. He also delivered the highlight of the game and the season for Montana, soaring for a fast-break dunk that had jaws on the floor.
Dischon Thomas had 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds and two assists. Te'Jon Sawyer had 13 points off the bench and nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds. After setting a career high with 17 points against San Jose State, Sawyer established a new career best in the rebounding department on Tuesday.
The Big Sky Player of the Week Money Williams had a complete performance, going for nine points, eight assists, and five rebounds. The assists were a new season-high for the freshman, and part of a great night overall for Montana in that department.
The Grizzlies had 27 assists, the most in a game since 2021, on 35 made field goals. To have 77 percent of your shots assisted requires a lot of smart passing from everyone on the floor.
"It's contagious. I think that we've always had that in us," DeCuire said of his team's passing performance. "I think the guys were sharing the ball earlier before the lineup change, but I think the most important difference is you just need more guys on the floor that can make those shots, or are willing to take them."
Montana started well for the second straight game, leading 15-5 when the starters come out for first time. They went ahead 15-4 on Saturday against San Jose State. They took a double-digit lead with 15 minutes to play in the first half and never relinquished it. The Grizzlies made nine of their first 11 shots in the game.
It's the fourth straight Montana game to have a wire-to-wire winner. In the four wins this year for the Griz, they have yet to trail. Last year against Northern, they allowed the Lights to stay on until the final stretch. This year, they dimmed them early.
"It was just sustaining the desperation. How hard can you play? These teams, it's a big game to them," DeCuire said. "If you don't bring yours you're going to find yourself in trouble. I think the guys had enough respect for their opponent to come out, play hard, execute and be focused."
The Grizzlies took a 52-26 lead into the halftime, their second-most points in an opening period this season. They trailed only the season-opener against Northwest Indian, where Montana led 54-22 at the break.
Montana had three players in double figures in the first 20 minutes, led by Moody's 13 points on just seven shots. Laolu Oke had 10 points and six rebounds, while Dischon Thomas scored 10 with three boards and two assists.
Money had five assists in the opening period, taking just two shots. He also had three rebounds.
Gallery: (12-5-2023) MBB: MSU-Northern (12.5.23)
Northern opened the second half on an 8-0 run to get within 18 points, but Montana would eventually wake up and extend the lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.
"We did a good job for the most part. I think we got to a point where we were playing to the score," DeCuire said. "We didn't have a great start to the half and it took us a while to get in sync and going again. I think we lacked intensity because of the score, which is where bad habits are formed, but for the most part guys did a good job of minimizing three-point attempts to keep them from getting what they really wanted."
Oke's slam was part of an eight-point second half for him, and was another sign of growth for the senior. Last year, he attempted just 31 total shots. He made 71 percent of them, choosing to only take looks that were very high percentages.
This season, he's averaging 9.4 points and has maintained some very impressive shooting numbers, making 31-of-45 attempts (68.9 percent) on the year.
"There were points in time where he wouldn't even look at the rim. He shot 70 percent last year so there is no reason not to attack the rim," DeCuire said. "He's more confident at the free throw line right now, and we need everyone in attack mode."
The Grizzlies are back at .500 after an incredibly difficult start to the season, and have a chance to go above it with another NAIA team on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. This game should have a different feel to it, as the No. 8 Montana Tech Orediggers come to town.
The Orediggers are 7-1 on the season and won against Montana the last time the two teams met. It will be a chance at redemption for Montana in the afternoon matchup.
"Our guys will be focused and ready to go, but it's important that we do the things we need to do in preparation the next few days moving forward," DeCuire said. "For us, we need to be better than we were today. And today we wanted to be better than we were Saturday. If we just keep moving forward and everybody takes a step forward, we will be fine."
The Griz (4-4) had four different players in double figures and led for 39:45, shooting well over 50 percent in their second straight win. It was a complete team effort as nine different Grizzlies scored and 15 played.
"Our focus was where it needed to be," head coach Travis DeCuire said. "I thought defensively we were in all the right spots, we executed the scout well, but more importantly we shared the ball. When the ball moves, we get good shots. We're a good enough shooting team that when we get good looks we're going to make them."
Montana outrebounded Northern by nine and really imposed their will down low with 48 points in the paint. It's the most paint points for Montana since scoring 64 in the season opener.The tip-in 𝙅𝘼𝙈 from @tejxn__ extends a huge Griz lead!#BANDTOGETHER x #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/MtEXichhDb
— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) December 6, 2023
Aanen Moody and Laolu Oke led the way with 18 points. Moody did it on 8-of-13 shooting. He also dished out six assists – one off his career high – and had four rebounds while going a game-best +32 in his minutes.
Oke shot 70 percent from the floor to reach his career-high 18 points. He also pulled down eight rebounds. He had four on the offensive end, which is the fifth different game he's recorded at least three on that end this season. He also delivered the highlight of the game and the season for Montana, soaring for a fast-break dunk that had jaws on the floor.
Dischon Thomas had 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting with five rebounds and two assists. Te'Jon Sawyer had 13 points off the bench and nearly recorded a double-double with nine rebounds. After setting a career high with 17 points against San Jose State, Sawyer established a new career best in the rebounding department on Tuesday.
The Big Sky Player of the Week Money Williams had a complete performance, going for nine points, eight assists, and five rebounds. The assists were a new season-high for the freshman, and part of a great night overall for Montana in that department.
Nice two-man game from @mxney___ and @JaxonNap for the bucket!
— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) December 6, 2023
Money has a season-high five assists already 👀#BANDTOGETHER x #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/5D1WTgEBXa
The Grizzlies had 27 assists, the most in a game since 2021, on 35 made field goals. To have 77 percent of your shots assisted requires a lot of smart passing from everyone on the floor.
"It's contagious. I think that we've always had that in us," DeCuire said of his team's passing performance. "I think the guys were sharing the ball earlier before the lineup change, but I think the most important difference is you just need more guys on the floor that can make those shots, or are willing to take them."
Montana started well for the second straight game, leading 15-5 when the starters come out for first time. They went ahead 15-4 on Saturday against San Jose State. They took a double-digit lead with 15 minutes to play in the first half and never relinquished it. The Grizzlies made nine of their first 11 shots in the game.
It's the fourth straight Montana game to have a wire-to-wire winner. In the four wins this year for the Griz, they have yet to trail. Last year against Northern, they allowed the Lights to stay on until the final stretch. This year, they dimmed them early.
"It was just sustaining the desperation. How hard can you play? These teams, it's a big game to them," DeCuire said. "If you don't bring yours you're going to find yourself in trouble. I think the guys had enough respect for their opponent to come out, play hard, execute and be focused."
The Grizzlies took a 52-26 lead into the halftime, their second-most points in an opening period this season. They trailed only the season-opener against Northwest Indian, where Montana led 54-22 at the break.
Montana had three players in double figures in the first 20 minutes, led by Moody's 13 points on just seven shots. Laolu Oke had 10 points and six rebounds, while Dischon Thomas scored 10 with three boards and two assists.
Money had five assists in the opening period, taking just two shots. He also had three rebounds.
Northern opened the second half on an 8-0 run to get within 18 points, but Montana would eventually wake up and extend the lead to as many as 34 points in the second half.
"We did a good job for the most part. I think we got to a point where we were playing to the score," DeCuire said. "We didn't have a great start to the half and it took us a while to get in sync and going again. I think we lacked intensity because of the score, which is where bad habits are formed, but for the most part guys did a good job of minimizing three-point attempts to keep them from getting what they really wanted."
Oke's slam was part of an eight-point second half for him, and was another sign of growth for the senior. Last year, he attempted just 31 total shots. He made 71 percent of them, choosing to only take looks that were very high percentages.
This season, he's averaging 9.4 points and has maintained some very impressive shooting numbers, making 31-of-45 attempts (68.9 percent) on the year.
"There were points in time where he wouldn't even look at the rim. He shot 70 percent last year so there is no reason not to attack the rim," DeCuire said. "He's more confident at the free throw line right now, and we need everyone in attack mode."
The tip-in 𝙅𝘼𝙈 from @tejxn__ extends a huge Griz lead!#BANDTOGETHER x #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/MtEXichhDb
— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) December 6, 2023
The Grizzlies are back at .500 after an incredibly difficult start to the season, and have a chance to go above it with another NAIA team on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. This game should have a different feel to it, as the No. 8 Montana Tech Orediggers come to town.
The Orediggers are 7-1 on the season and won against Montana the last time the two teams met. It will be a chance at redemption for Montana in the afternoon matchup.
"Our guys will be focused and ready to go, but it's important that we do the things we need to do in preparation the next few days moving forward," DeCuire said. "For us, we need to be better than we were today. And today we wanted to be better than we were Saturday. If we just keep moving forward and everybody takes a step forward, we will be fine."
Team Stats
MSUN
Mont
FG%
.421
.565
3FG%
.333
.421
FT%
.750
.684
RB
29
38
TO
10
11
STL
7
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
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