Money Williams stole the show at Dahlberg Arena, leading the Montana Grizzlies to a 69-60 win over Idaho State. The Grizzlies' top performer scored 17 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists, pacing his team to a decisive 9-point victory. Idaho State's Connor Hollenbeck put up a valiant effort, scoring 18 points and collecting 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of the Grizzlies.
The first half saw Montana take control, with the Grizzlies building a 35-30 lead by halftime. Money Williams was instrumental in the opening period, scoring 10 points and handing out 3 assists to help his team establish a foothold. Idaho State's Hollenbeck kept his team within striking distance, scoring 12 points in the first half, but the Bengals couldn't quite keep pace with the Grizzlies' offense.
In the second half, Montana continued to push the pace, with Grant Kepley and Kenyon Aguino chipping in with key contributions. Kepley scored 7 of his 12 points in the final period, while Aguino added 8 points to help the Grizzlies maintain their advantage. Idaho State made a few runs, but the Grizzlies' defense held firm, limiting the Bengals to just 30 points in each half.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Montana winning by 4.5 points, and while the final margin was larger than expected, the Grizzlies' victory was never really in doubt. The 9-point win marked a solid performance for Montana, who improved to 12-9 on the season.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Montana, the win counts as a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not be the most impressive result, but it's still a win that helps to bolster their overall record. On the other hand, Idaho State's loss falls into Quadrant 3, which is a more respectable category, but still a defeat that sets them back in their pursuit of a postseason berth. With a current net ranking of 176, the Bengals must string together some wins to improve their tournament chances.
As it stands, Montana's victory helps to solidify their position, albeit still on the bubble, with a net ranking of 160. The Grizzlies must continue to perform well in their remaining games to build a stronger case for tournament inclusion. For now, Money Williams and his teammates can savor the taste of victory, knowing that their hard work and determination paid off in a well-deserved win over Idaho State.