MISSOULA, Mont. -- Montana never trailed the entire game, but had to withstand a late Sacramento State rally, before eventually defeating the Hornets, 81-73, on Thursday evening at Dahlberg Arena.
The Grizzlies, who led by 10 at halftime (42-32), extended that advantage to 15 points (71-56) with five minutes to play. However, Sacramento State immediately responded with a 17-6 run to draw within four points (77-73) with 1:06 remaining. Four different Hornets scored during the run, including six points from
Mark Lavrenov and five from
Prophet Johnson.
The Hornets then forced a Grizzly miss, and with 34 seconds left,
Arman Madi had a good look at a 3-ball that would have cut the deficit to one point, but the shot was off the mark. Montana would then score the game's final four points to provide the 81-73 outcome.
Playing the first of three games over five days to finish the regular season, Sacramento State dropped to 9-19 overall and 5-11 in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets have dropped six straight, the last five played without the injured
Mikey Williams (20.1 ppg in league).
Sacramento State, which has competed with seven or eight healthy players each of the last five games, will travel to Bozeman for a matchup at Montana State on Saturday afternoon. Only two games remain until the Hornets play at the Big Sky Tournament in Boise from March 7-11. All 10 teams in the conference advance to the postseason event, and the top six receive a first round bye.
Montana began the game on a 15-4 run, but the Hornets responded with a 13-2 spurt to tie things at 17-17. Sacramento State, however, was never able to secure a lead. Both teams made the same amount of field goals (SAC 40%, 27-67, and UM 51%, 27-53), but the Grizzlies buried six more 3-pointers (11-for-29, 38%), and two more free throws (80%, 16-20). Both teams had 36 rebounds, and the Hornets owned a 13-7 advantage in second chance points, and 20-9 in points off turnovers.
Of Sacramento State's eight players, six scored at least eight points, and four finished in double figures. That included Johnson (14 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) and
Taj Glover's career-high 12 points on 4-7 FG and 4-5 FT.
Shaqir O'Neal and Madi both had 11 points, and Lavrenov narrowly missed his seventh double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds (7 on the offensive glass). In the second half alone, Lavrenov posted eight points and 11 rebounds.
Jahni Summers added nine points, and
Romari Robinson had season highs in points (5) and steals (3).
Sacramento State will play its final two games on Saturday at Montana State (12 pm PT), and Monday at home vs. Idaho State (7 p.m. PT). Monday will also be Senior Night at Hornet Pavilion.
