Lady Griz get first win

PHOENIX, Ariz. — In a game that was tight throughout, a surge by Montana late in the third quarter and early in the fourth sparked the Lady Griz to a 76-71 road win at Grand Canyon on Monday night in Phoenix.

It was Montana’s first victory of the season after opening with home losses to Gonzaga and Washington State.

The game was tied at 19 after 10 minutes, deadlocked at 38 at the half and even at 54 with a minute left in the third quarter.

A driving layup by Mack Konig, who scored a team-high 15 points, and two free throws by Macey Huard, who scored a season-high 10, gave Montana a 58-54 lead going into the final period.

Dani Bartsch hit a 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter, making it a 7-0 run and a 61-54 lead, and Carmen Gfeller scored inside with four minutes left to make it 71-61.

From there, Montana held off Grand Canyon, which made it a one-possession game in the closing seconds before the Lady Griz finished it out at the free throw line.

“Wasn’t easy, I’ll tell you that. I’m proud of our kids. It’s a good win. To come down here and compete against a team with a pair of wins, our kids battled and were really tough,” said coach Brian Holsinger.