Posted: Mar 6, 2010 10:12 PM
Updated: Mar 6, 2010 10:56 PM

MISSOULA - The Grizzly men watched their season come down to one final game on their home court last year, a Big Sky Conference quarterfinal game against rival Montana State. They lost by two points, and thus their season came to an end.

Fast forward to Saturday and Montana was back in the same position, hosting a quarterfinal with their season hanging in the balance. This time, Northern Arizona coming to town looking to play the spoiler, but the Griz would not be denied.

Early in the first quarter, off the steal Brian Qvale hit Will Cherry who broke it for the layup and Montana was up 7-0. Cameron Jones led the Lumberjacks with 21 points, including two that got NAU within five. Later in the half, Raason Young found Derek Selvig open for three,  he finished with nine points.

Moving to the second half, Young missed a three-point attempt, but Selvig kept it alive and Young hustling on the offensive glass, got the tip-in, he finished with 11 points. Later, the Grizzlies were sitting on a comfortable lead, when Anthony Johnson went to the rack, he led all scorers with 22 points.

Montana won by 21, 81-60, punching their ticket to the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

Meanwhile, the Lady Griz wrapped up their regular season Saturday night at Northern Colorado.
The Bears were already out of playoff contention, but Montana, thanks to a Portland State loss at Eastern Washington could  lock up the #2 seed at the conference tournament and a first round bye.

First half action,  Ali Hurley finished down low off the feed from Kenzie De Boer and then  Jessa Loman Linford knocked down the long two.

The Lady Griz would hang on down the stretch in a close game, winning 63-60. They clinch the #2 seed and a first-round bye at the Big Sky Conference Tournament.