Senior guard Will Cherry hit a free throw with two seconds left to give the University of Montana Grizzlies a 61-60 win over Sacramento State and move to 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play.
The Grizzlies led by 13 (52-39) after a layup by Jordan Gregory with
7:36 remaining in the game. Prospects look bleak but the Hornets made a run.
Sacramento State cut lead to six (60-54) with just 19 seconds to play.
The Hornets then hit back-to-back three pointers by Cody Demps and Dylan Garrity and tied the game at 60 with seven seconds left in the game.
Cherry got the inbounds and drove the length of the court before being fouled by Garrity with two seconds on the clock.
His first free throw hit the right side of the rim and rolled in for the 61-60 lead. He second shot again hit right and fell into the hands of Garrity, his full court heave fell well short giving the Griz the victory.
The Grizzlies (6-4, 2-0 BSC) have now won 16 straight Big Sky games going back to last season while the Hornets (6-4, 1-1 BSC) failed to get the sweep of the Montana Schools after beating Montana State 62-57 Wednesday night.
Senior forward Mathias Ward scored a game high 16 points and grabbed five rebounds. Junior forward Kareem Jamar added 11 for the Griz and Cherry scored 10.
John Dickson led the Hornets with 15 points while Konner Veteto scored
10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mikh McKinney added 14 for Sacramento State and Garrity score 12.
Sacramento State outrebounded the Grizzlies 35-24 a trend that has plagued Montana this season.
The Griz played strong defensively and held the Hornets to 38.9 percent (21-54) shooting, on the other hand Montana was able to hit on
20-of-42 (47.6 percent).
The Grizzlies will get almost two weeks off before returning to action Jan. 3, against Eastern Washington in the friendly confines of Dahlberg Arena.
See UM / Sacramento State Box Score
See the 2012-13 Media Guide.
Montana Sports Information — GoGriz.com