Montana men, Lady Cats strike first in the Brawl

BOZEMAN (AP) - The Montana Grizzlies got a little get-back in Bozeman. After the UM football team lost to its heated rival, Montana State back in November, the Grizzly basketball exacted some revenge.

Jamar Akoh scored 15 points with Bobby Moorehead adding 10 and 12 rebounds as Montana dominated the second half to blow past Montana State 67-52 Saturday night to remain unbeaten in the Big Sky Conference.

The Grizzlies (14-5, 7-0), who lost in Bozeman last year to snap a 13-game winning streak over Montana State, took control early in the second half as Ahmaad Rorie drilled a 3 and Akoh followed with two straight layups to start a 15-4 run.

The game was tied at 33-33 at the break, but Montana won the second half 34-19. The Bobcats did not make a second-half field goal until Zack Green connected at the 13:49 mark.

Akoh was 6 of 9 from the floor with nine rebounds. Rorie added 13 points for Montana, which has won nine of its last 10 games. The Griz also beat the Bobcats for the 14th time in their last 15 meetings. MSU also dropped its third straight Big Sky game after starting 4-0.

Harald Frey led Montana State (11-9, 4-3) with 13 points. Keljin Blevins added nine with 12 rebounds.

"This is huge," said Moorehead, who drew the assignment of guarding the sharpshooting Hall. "I think (that was) the first time losing to them in like 13 games or something. You don't want to be that team. We wanted to get back - revenge - and we did."

The Griz and Cats will have another bout, on Feb. 24 when they meet in Dahlberg Arena in Missoula.

Lady Bobcats roar

BOZEMAN - Montana State had four players in double-figures led by Delany Junkermier with 16 points to cruise past Montana 81-64 Saturday afternoon in front of 4,017 fans in Worthington Arena. The victory was MSU's third straight over the Lady Griz in the storied rivalry.

"I thought it was a fantastic game start to finish," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "We competed as a team and were able to handle the atmosphere of the arena from the start. Our offensive balance was tremendous and we had good production across the board."

Montana was paced in the loss by McKenzie Johnston with 13 points and seven assists, while Malta product Sophia Stiles nearly totaled a double-double with 11 markers and nine boards. Former Bozeman star Caitlin Lonergan added seven points and six rebounds for the Lady Griz.

The Cats and Griz will meet again Feb. 24 in Missoula.

Editor's Note: Havre Daily News sports editor George Ferguson contributed to this story.