The University of Montana Grizzlies competed well, but dropped their season opener, 72-65 to the host Colorado State Rams Friday evening (Nov. 9) in CSU's Moby Arena.

The Griz played neck-in-neck with the Rams, and to end the first half, junior forward Spencer Coleman knocked in a pair of free throws to take a 34-27 lead at intermission.

But, the Griz could not hold onto to that lead, and when CSU sophomore guard Daniel Bejarano nailed a lay-up with a little under eight minutes remaining in the game and CSU went a head 52-50, a lead that the Rams took till the end.

With 2:08 left in the game, sophomore Kevin Henderson made a jumper to bring the Grizzlies within three points of the Rams (68-65), but that proved to be UM's final points of the game. CSU made four free throws in the final minute-and-a-half to secure the victory.

Keron DeShields led Montana with 17 points, while fellow sophomore guard Jordan Gregory with 10 points. Junior guard-forward Kareem Jamar and Coleman added nine points each. Henderson led the Griz with four rebounds, while Coleman and Gregory each had three.

CSU senior center Colton Iverson paced the Rams with 18 points. Greg Smith, Wes Eikmeier, Dorian Green and Bejarano all scored in double-digits for the Rams. Senior forward Pierce Hornung had a game-high 16 rebounds for the Rams.

CSU out-rebounded Montana 44-to-21. The Rams made 31-of-41 free throws (the Griz were 18-of-23 from the line). The Grizzlies were whistled for 33 fouls and starting forward Mathias Ward (5 points), Jamar, and Coleman all fouled out. The Rams were called for 20 fouls and Eikmeier fouled out.

The Grizzlies return home Wednesday, Nov. 14, and host Minot State at 7:00 p.m. game int Dahlberg Arena. CSU hosts Chadron State Nov. 15.