Griz basketball gets wire-to-wire win over UC Davis
MISSOULA — Montana picked up an impressive 78-65 wire-to-wire win on short rest against UC Davis Sunday in the opener of the Basketball Travelers Mike Montgomery Classic. The Grizzlies had five players in double figures and led by as many as 15 in the first half of a big win against the previously unbeaten Aggies.
The Grizzlies (2-1) showed no signs of fatigue after traveling back from Oregon on Friday night with just one day in between games. They went ahead early, forcing 19 total turnovers and scoring 24 points off of them, and led for nearly 39 of the 40 minutes in a comfortable win.
Dischon Thomas led the way with 23 points as the Grizzly frontcourt dominated against a guard-focused UC Davis team. It’s a season-high for Thomas and came just two short of his career high. Laolu Oke did set a career-high with 15 points, including some highlight reel slams that brought a good crowd in Dahlberg Arena to their feet.
The duo also combined for 11 rebounds while shooting 60 percent.
“(Thomas) has had a great offseason,” head coach Travis DeCuire said. “Very aggressive offensively, and I think his focus defensively and rebounding has taken pressure off his offense. Sometimes you play better on offense when you focus on other things. His mind has just been in the right place and I think we’re seeing the growth.”
Thomas made three of his four three-point attempts in the game and went 8-of-13 from the field. Grizzly fans likely grew accustomed to Thomas’ scoring last season, but for Oke the 15-point game may have come as a bit of a surprise.
He played limited minutes last year, and had a season-high of just six points. It’s another case of a player working on his game during the offseason. Oke is a captain on this Grizzly squad and has started every game. His expanded playmaking ability has allowed Montana to use him in ways they couldn’t last season.
“We’ve been able to play through him and he’s a guy that is getting touches in areas that he’s not necessarily looking to score every time but it’s part of our offense,” DeCuire said. “He led us in assists the other night. His development with the ball in his hands has been incredible because it allows our guys to move and score off of him and DT, and I think it plays into your offensive chemistry.”
Aanen Moody had 13 points for Montana on 5-of-11 shooting and Brandon Whitney joined a crew of other Grizzlies in double-figures with 11. It’s the first time since Feb. 3, 2022 that Montana has had five players score 10-plus in the same game.
They now get some rest at home before returning to action on Thursday night against North Dakota State. The Bison will play against UC Davis on Tuesday afternoon in the second game of the Basketball Travelers Mike Montgomery Classic.