Throughout the season, Travis DeCuire’s ambitions have been ahead of the calendar. In November he wanted his team playing as if it were December. And it all was aimed at playing its best in March. The plan may be paying off.
Montana scored a season high in a 95-76 win over Idaho State that may have gathered some elusive momentum and bought it some time off. The 19-point win secured the Grizzlies the No. 5 seed in the Big Sky tournament and a date with fourth-seeded Idaho at 2:35 p.m. Thursday.
“There was never any question of what we were capable of,” DeCuire said after the Grizzlies finished the regular season 11-7 in conference and 16-15 overall. “Our biggest issue was sustaining it. Having success when you play well and come out and build on it. I think we’re starting to do that.
“ … I feel good with where we’re at right now. We’re happy that we don’t have to play Tuesday. It gives us some time to prepare and also some time to rest a little bit and be fresh.”
Montana senior Jack Lopez/ by Jason Bacaj
Montana entered Saturday facing the possibility of moving up to as high as fourth and as low as seventh in the final standings. The Griz were guaranteed top-six seed when Sacramento State lost earlier in the day. Knowing full well all it needed to gain a couple days of extra rest was to beat the Bengals, Montana left little to doubt.
Montana hit nine first-half threes, more than it had made in any game in nearly two months, and then built on that advantage throughout the second half. Montana’s lead reached as much as 21 as the Griz handcuffed all the Bengals but Ethan Telfair, and poured in shots at will on the other end.
A 14-4 run to close the first half gave Montana its first double-digit lead and the control the Griz looked poised to seize throughout the first. Jack Lopez hit three triples and was one of six players to connect from beyond the arc as Montana’s got shots at the rim and clean looks from outside.
“(It’s) who is taking those threes and and when we’re taking them,” DeCuire said after Montana hit 11 of the 21 threes it attempted. “We’re not taking them so early in the clock. We’re getting them with our feet set, inside out, shoulders square. That’s the easiest shot when your shoulders are square.”
Idaho State hung close until the late first-half spurt. The Grizzlies’ double-digit lead remained throughout the second half, growing to as many as 21 late in the game. Montana turned Idaho State’s few mistakes into points and freed up its best scorer to lead the way.
UM guard Ahmaad Rorie (14)/by Jason Bacaj
Coming off a 23-point night in the win over Weber State, Ahmaad Rorie went toe-to-toe with Telfair, who has built a reputation as one of the conference’s most lethal scorer. On his way to a team-high 27 points, Rorie’s jumper was at its best. Time after time the sophomore drilled mid-range jumpers and a couple threes to match what Telfair, who finished with 32 on his senior night, was doing at the other end.
“He’s playing at a very high level right now,” DeCuire said of Rorie, who scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the second half. “Emotionally he is involved. He’s as focused as he’s been all year. I think he’s taking responsibility for this team now. As his leadership has improved we play better. He’s saying all the right things in the timeouts and the huddles.”
Montana and Idaho split their regular season games, with each team winning on the other’s home court. The Grizzlies got the first game between the two teams as it was streaking to a 5-1 start to conference play. Idaho then evened the season series in Missoula in the last of four straight losses that dropped Montana in the conference standings. UM won six of eight from there.
DeCuire said his team is playing better on both ends of the floor than it was the last time it faced the Vandals. He was also encouraged that Montana’s prep is similar to what it was for it game Thursday at Weber State. Despite the positives, DeCuire said he will consider eliminating all distractions during his team’s stay in Reno to ensure all focus is on the Grizzlies’ first conference tournament championship in five years.
“We’re talking about no phones,” DeCuire said. “We’ll spend a little more time together and be focused on each other. … Hopefully this week leads into next week. But I think these guys are focused. They know it’s win or go home so there is nothing to be distracted about now.”
NOTES: Rorie’s 27 was aided by Mike Oguine’s 15 and Walter Wright’s 11. … Montana’s 11 threes were the most it has hit since it sunk 15 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 12. … The Griz won the rebounding battle 37-27. … The Griz had an 18-point advantage in points off turnovers.
Big Sky men’s basketball tournament
Tuesday Men’s Round 1 (Reno, Nevada – Pacific time)
8 Portland State vs 9 NAU 2:35 p.m.
7 Sac State vs 10 Idaho State 5:35 p.m.
6 Montana State vs 11 Southern Utah 8:05 p.m.
Thursday Quarterfinals
1 UND vs PSU-NAU winner 12:05 p.m.
4 Idaho vs 5 Montana 2:35 p.m.
2 EWU vs Sac-ISU winner 5:35 p.m.
3 Weber State vs MSU-SUU winner 8:05 p.m.
