Lady Griz battle, fall by 13 on the road

Tuesday, November 5

Spokane, Wash.

7 PM (MT)

Montana

0-1

Gonzaga

1-0

Montana

Gonzaga

Photos: Torrey Vail (Gonzaga Athletics)

Photo by: Torrey A. Vail

11/5/2024 10:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Montana Sports Information

Gonzaga was the Gonzaga everyone was expecting. Deadly from the 3-point line, strong on the glass, weapons from starters to reserves.

Montana was as well, if you were realistic and expecting some growing pains after practicing this fall but not fully benefitting from it as players have been in and out of the active roster.

That led to a start when the Bulldogs showed their best stuff and a finish when the Lady Griz showed that they'll be a team to be reckoned with in due time.

In the end, Gonzaga won its 37th consecutive game at home, defeating Montana 82-69 in front of a nice crowd at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane.

"We have a bunch of kids who are on minute restrictions, kids who haven't practiced, so as a coach I want to be realistic," said Lady Griz coach Brian Holsinger.

"I'm proud of our kids. We won the second half and played completely different after the first quarter, but you dig yourself that kind of a hole, it's really tough on the road."

It was the opening period that decided the game, as the Bulldogs hit 11 of their first 14 shots, went 5 for 7 from the 3-point line and led 31-15 after 10 minutes.

It was the worst-case scenario for the Lady Griz but the teaching-est of teaching moments that Holsinger will be able to call upon as the season moves forward.

"It was a slow start to say the least," he said. "This team is learning, it's a work in progress. You're on someone's home floor, you cannot come out not focused and ready and sharp, and we didn't."

Montana had just two rebounds in the first quarter, not there were many available. Gonzaga shot 65 percent in the opening period, the Lady Griz 5 for 9.

But rebounds played a role from start to finish as the Bulldogs finished +16 against a team that was +4.5 per game last season. Fourteen of Gonzaga's rebounds came on the offense end, all mini-backbreakers.

"They do what they do. They rebound the heck out of the ball," said Holsinger. "We have to get way tougher on the glass. You don't learn that until you play a team that beats you like this."

Montana outscored Gonzaga over the final three quarters, slowing down the Bulldogs a bit offensively and finally running sound offense that led to good looks.

After the first-half lead reached 25 points, 44-19, Montana closed to within 49-30 at the half, then opened the second half playing just as well, getting it down to 51-38 four minutes into the second half.

Montana even had an open 3-pointer from the top of the key from a player it wants taking it that could have made it a 10-point game and made it more interesting than anyone was expecting after that start.

Gonzaga answered with a basket from last year's West Coast Conference Player of the Year Yvonne Ejim and a 3-pointer from UConn transfer Ines Bettencourt to extend its lead back to a more comfortable 18.

Montana shot 50 percent in both the first half and second half while holding the Bulldogs to 34.5 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes.

"We just played right," said Holsinger about his team's play after the first quarter. "It's not rocket science. Keep it simple. Do the simple things well. And play hard.

"We just did better. Really proud of how we responded and played in the second half. There were some mistakes we have to clean up, but that's to be expected this time of year."

Avery Waddington led Montana with 13 points off the bench. She went 6 for 10, grabbed a team-high five rebounds and added three steals while generally looking like she totally belonged in that setting.

"Avery is exactly what I thought she was," said Holsinger. "She's a fantastic kid and good player who is going to be a really good player. She is going to be a major factor for us. Really proud of her."

Adria Lincoln looked as good and as composed as she's ever been, hitting four of her five shots, mainly around the basket, where she's hard for any team to defend one-on-one. She added 10 off the bench.

Mack Konig, another of the players who didn't have the preseason practice availability anybody would have wanted, had 11 points, seven assists and two steals but struggled shooting.

"Mack didn't shoot it very well tonight but she stayed aggressive," said Holsinger. "She hasn't practiced, and when you don't practice, it's hard to come out in a live situation and be really good."

Gonzaga, which, like Montana, ranked in the top 10 last year in threes made per game, was at it again on Tuesday, going 11 for 21 from the arc, with freshman Allie Turner going 5 for 8 and scoring 18.

While Montana hit just five 3-pointers in 17 attempts, two of those makes coming from Aby Shubert, the Lady Griz showed the type of inside presence they didn't have last season.

Alex Pirog, in a starting role, went 4 for 4 and scored nine points, as did Izabella Zingaro off the bench. Add in Lincoln's 4-for-5 night and Montana outscored Gonzaga 38-24 in the paint.

In the end, Montana never led in the game but never went away either, an encouraging start for a team that's going to require a bit of patience but should reward that as the season progresses.

The Lady Griz will host Southeastern University at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Dahlberg Arena in their home opener.