Nov. 13, 2012

Griz BB Notes: Games 2 & 3

THE GAMES: The University of Montana Grizzlies play two games this week, hosting the Minot State Beavers (0-2) on Wednesday, Nov. 14, in UM's Dahlberg Arena (7,321), and they play the Idaho Vandals (0-1) in Moscow on Saturday, Nov. 17 in UI's Kibbie Dome.

At Colorado State 72, Montana 65: Keron DeShields led Montana with a career-high 17 points, while fellow sophomore guard Jordan Gregory added 10 points in his first career start. Junior G-F Kareem Jamar and junior forward Spencer Coleman added nine points each.

The Last Meeting Idaho 52 Montana 57 November 17, 2011 Missoula, Mont. Griz defeat Vandals 57-52 Junior guard Will Cherry had his first career double-double to lead The University of Montana Grizzlies to a hard-fought 57-52 win over the visiting University of Idaho Vandals Thursday evening in UM's Dahlberg Arena. Recap | Box Score

"FOUL" DIFFERENCE: The Rams made 31-of-41 free throws (UM was 18-of-23). UM was whistled for 33 fouls (CSU had 20). Starting forward Mathias Ward (5 points), Jamar, and Coleman all fouled out. CSU out-rebounded UM 44-to-21. The Griz led 34-27 at halftime.

THREE VETERANS BACK: The Griz have three starters back this season: Cherry, Jamar, and Ward. Cherry and Jamar were first team all-league selections last season, although Cherry, who led the Griz in scoring (15.8 ppg) a year ago, is out of action because of a foot injury. Jamar was UM's second leading scorer (10.9 ppg), while Ward was third (10.9 ppg).

GRIZ LAST SEASON: The Griz, ranked 14th in the collegeinsider.com's Mid-Major poll, beat Weber State 85-66 to win the Big Sky's post-season tournament title and advance to the NCAA tournament (a 73-49 loss to Wisconsin).

TINKLE FOURTH ON WINS LIST: Seventh-year Montana head coach Wayne Tinkle has 116 career wins -- the fourth most in school history.

SERIES/LAST YEAR: This is the first meeting between Montana and Minot State. The Vandals lead the series 106-80, but UM defeated UI 57-52 in Missoula last season.

MONTANA GRIZZLIES (0-0)--PPG--RPG--MISC.

F-24-Spencer Coleman, 6-6 1/2, 198, Jr., JC--9.0--3.0--DQ at CSU

F-40-Mathias Ward, 6-7, 228, Sr., 3V--5.0--0.0--DQ at CSU

C-45-Eric Hutchison, 6-9, 230, So., 1V--1.0--1.0--18 mins. at CSU

G-20-Keron DeShields, G, 6-2, 182, So., 1V--17.0--1.0--career-high at CSU

G-32-Kareem Jamar, 6-5, 210, Jr., 2V--9.0--2.0--DQ at CSU

6-10-Jordan Gregory, G, 6-2, 188, So., 1V--10.0--3.0--1st start at CSU

6-2-Kevin Henderson, 6-5, 208, So., 1V--7.0--4.0--3 assists at CSU

Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (116-72, seventh season at Montana)

MS BEAVERS (0-2)--PPG--RPG--MISC. F-4-Kelvin Fraser, 6-6, 215, Sr.--5.0--1.0

F-15-Thomas Korf, 6-4, 199, So.--5.0--1.0

F-24-Josh Johnson, 6-5, 208, Sr.--10.0--5.0

G-0-Dominique McDonald, 6-0, 175, Fr.--12.5--4.0--21 pts. vs. Colo. Mines

G-2-Isiah Gandy, 6-0, 180, Jr.--9.0--3.0

6-14-Chris East, F, 6-6, 218, Jr.--8.0--11.0--13 reb. vs. Colo. Mines

6-E.J.Williams, G, 6-0, 180, Jr.--10.5--2.0--14 pts. vs. CO Mines

Head Coach: Matt Murken (0-2, 1st year at MSC)

RESULTS TO DATE: AT COLORADO MINES 87, MINOT 83; AT METRO STATE 75, MINOT STATE 54. UP NEXT: MINOT HOSTS NORTHLAND, NOV. 18.

IDAHO VANDALS (0-1)--PPG--RPG--MISC.

F-45-Wendell Faines, 6-8, 250, Sr., 1V--4.0--5.0--23 games last yr.

C-33-Kyle Barone, 6-10, 220, Sr., 3V--18.0--9.0--12.9/8.0 last yr.

G-5-Connor Hill, 6-2, 190, So., 1V--8.0--1.0--30 games last yr.

G-12-Mike McChristian, 6-2, 200, Sr., 1V--8.0--1.0--28 games last yr.

G-34-Stephen Madison, 6-5, 205, Jr., 2V 11.0--2.0--33 starts last yr.

6-3-Mansa Habeeb, G, 6-3, 215, Sr., 1V--14.0--5.0--14 pts. in opener

Head Coach: Don Verlin (69-61, fifth season at UI)

RESULTS TO DATE: WRIGHT STATE 80, AT IDAHO 70. UP NEXT: IDAHO HOSTS GREEN BAY, NOV. 20.