By DAVE GUFFEY for UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA SPORTS INFORMATION
THE GAME: The University of Montana Grizzlies (5-4/1-0 BSC) continue their Big Sky Conference slate on the road, playing the Sacramento State Hornets (6-3/1-0) on Friday, Dec. 21. The UM-Sac contest starts at 8:00 p.m. (Mtn.) in the Hornets Nest.
RADIO/STREAMING/TV: The “Voice of the Griz” Mick Holien, a 12-time “Montana Broadcaster of the Year” pick, calls the play-by-play on Missoula’s KGVO Radio (1290 AM and 101.5 FM) for his 20th season in a row. Streaming is available at www.gogriz.com. The game will not be televised. (Griz Radio Network stations listed on add 4-4-4).
GAME NOTES: See the rosters, cumulative game stats and more.
GRIZ RANKED IN 3-POINT% & FT%: Montana is ranked third in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at 42.5% (65-of-153), trailing Central Florida (44.1%). UM is 27th in free throw percentage at 76.1% . Central Connecticut State leads the nation (83.3%).
Senior Forward Mathias Ward. Photo courtesy of UM Sports Information.
SERIES/LAST YEAR: Montana leads the series with Sac 32-5. Last year: at Griz 85, Sac 56 and at Sac 67, Griz 58. (Last season’s UM-Sac box scores attached).
CHERRY RETURNS: Senior guard Will Cherry returned to action on Dec. 15th against SDSU after missing the last two-and-a-half months due to a foot injury. He was named to the 2012-13 collegeinsider.com Lou Henson Preseason All-America team.
MONTANA GRIZZLIES (5-4/1-0) PPG RPG MISC.
F-40-Mathias Ward, 6-7, 228, Sr., 3V 14.9 3.1 53.8 FG%
C-45-Eric Hutchison, 6-9, 230, Jr., 2V 2.0 1.7 6 starts
G-5-Will Cherry, 6-1, 188, Sr., 3V 7.0 3.5 12/3/3 at NAU
G-10-Jordan Gregory, 6-2, 188, So., 1V 8.5 4.0 12/7/2 at NAU
G-32-Kareem Jamar, 6-5, 210, Jr., 2V 14.4 6.7 Sky: 6ppg/4-rpg
6-20-Keron DeShields, G, 6-2, 182, So., 1V 8.7 2.6 3rd leading scorer
6-24-Spencer Coleman, F, 6-6 1/2, 198, Jr., JC 5.6 3.1 has 4 starts
6-33-Mike Weisner, F, 6-7, 195, So., 1V 7.0 1.6 55.0 3PTFG%
Head Coach: Wayne Tinkle (121-75/67-30 Big Sky 7th season at Montana)
Coach Tinkle vs. Sac State: Coach Tinkle is 11-1 against the Hornets and has won the last 11 in a row.
SAC STATE HORNETS (6-3/1-0) PPG RPG MISC.
F-3-Joe Eberhard, 6-6, 210, Sr., 1V 7.6 6.7 10 rebs. vs. MSU
F-32-John Dickson, 6-6, 200, Sr., 3V 15.9 5.7 1.6 blk pg
C-41-Konner Veteto, 6-8, 290, Sr., 1V 11.2 6.1 19/9 vs. MSU
G-5-Dylan Garrity, 6-2, 175, So., 1V 13.1 2.4 5.7 apg/53.0 FG%
G-10-Mikh McKinney, 6-1, 165, So., JC 13.4 4.9 87.8 FT% (36×41)
F-4-Joey Quigley, 6-8, 210, Jr., JC 4.1 2.5 6 starts
Head Coach: Brian Katz (82-144, 8th year at Sac)
Montana Sports Information — GoGriz.com