Wolverines spank Griz for the second year in a row

A year ago, it was frosty second-half shooting against Michigan that did in the Montana Grizzlies in the first round of the NCAA tournament. One year later, it was the first half.

In a rematch with the No. 2 seeded Wolverines in the opening round of the 2019 NCAA tournament Thursday night in Des Moines, Iowa, 15th-seeded Montana made just one of its first nine shots and shot just 22 percent in the opening 20 minutes in a 74-55 loss inside the Wells Fargo Arena.

It was the second-straight year that the Griz saw an exciting season come to an end at the hands of the Wolverines.

Right out of the gates, Montana seemed rushed on many of its shot attempts in trying to attack Michigan quickly. Easy shots were few and far between as Michigan switched quickly on screens and packed the paint, making inside and outside shots difficult. And when Montana did find an open look, it just couldn't knock it down.  Michigan on the other hand, saw plenty of shots fall in the first half, and with just over seven minutes left in the stanza, Montana was down 25-8.

The Griz did rally some, and when Michael Oguine scored on a layup and was fouled, Montana had cut the Michigan, lead down to eight points, before the Wolverines eventually led 34-21 at the break.

Montana did play much better in the second half, but, Michigan continued to pull away while the Grizzlies tried to claw back. The second half featured more of the same for Montana. Junior Sayeed Pridgett came out and scored five straight, knocking down an open 3-pointer and converting a smooth layup to bring the Grizzlies within single-digits at 34-26. But Michigan sophomore Jordan Poole kick-started a 10-0 Wolverine run with a deep look of his own keep the Wolverines in the driver's seat and they never let up.

Michigan ended up shooting 49 percent from the field, made five threes and out-rebounded the Griz, who were without Jamar Akoh, their main inside presence, 41-34. Charles Matthews paced the Wolverines, who advance to the round of 32 to play Florida, with 22 points, while Ignas Brazedeikes scored 14.

The Griz, which finished the year with a 28-9 record, and as repeat as Big Sky champions, got 17 points from Pridgett, while Ahmad Rorie and Timmy Falls each scored 10.