Recent Game Recaps

Epilogue, The Ninth: Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Memories

So We Meet Again

Rte. 139 - End of the Line

Hanging On

A Championship in Pictures

This Time of Year

Dotson Leads Ducks to the Sweet Sixteen

Grizzlies Overwhelmed by Orangemen

Empire

Challenge 11: Final Four Memories

By George, UConn is Dead

Butler and Us

Donning the Black and Gold

Challenge 10: Tourney Memories

The Madness of the Horizon League

The Rare Ivy League Conference Tournament

MAC Madness

Anything Can Happen in the MAAC

Challenge 9: Shock The Neighborhood

A Youthful Surprise

From Worst to First

Peers and Seers

Eastern Washington Eagles  Montana Grizzlies  

Game #8-713: Eastern Washington Eagles at Montana Grizzlies March 6, 2012 10:00 pm Adams Center BBState Stats/Recap

The analogy of a "Heavyweight Fight" is so overused in the world of sports journalism. It simply is a lazy habit for sports writers who have no desire to think anew. Call me lazy, but I think the Big Sky semifinal between Montana and Eastern Washington fits the bill. Montana was surely the favorite, but Eastern Washington had something to prove. And, for 38 minutes of action, the Eagles proved more than capable. Using a terrific game plan, the Eagles gave top-seeded Montana everything it could handle. But, in the end, we were reminded why Montana finished 15-1 in the league.

The Grizzly crowd was more than rowdy to begin the festivities. Being just two games from a berth in March Madness, the Adams Center was rocking. Lowly fourth-seed Eastern Washington was just the appetizer before the full-course rematch with the second seed, Weber State, in the final. The appetizer was tough to keep down, but keep down the Grizzlies did. Trailing 62-61 with under two minutes remaining, Montana exploded for the next eight points and assured itself a spot in the title game.

It's amazing when we compare how short the 40 minutes of a basketball game are compared to how long and hard these players and coaches work. Time ran out for Eastern Washington on Tuesday night, despite three heroic performances from Eastern seniors Cliff Colimon, Laron Griffin, and Cliff Ederaine. Colimon poured in 27 points; Griffin had 16 points and 15 rebounds; Ederaine had 16 points on just 11 shot attempts. In the end, it wasn't enough.

Kareem Jamar dominated the second half, scoring 17 of his 18 points, to lead the Grizzlies from the brink. Montana trailed by as much as 11 in the first half. By the time the clock was about to strike triple zeroes, the Griz had turned that score upside-down. Will Cherry was key, as he always is, in the Montana attack. Cherry finished with 16 points. The Montana crowd was rocking and the Grizzlies moved to a single win between them and their fifth trip to the Big Dance since 2002, the most in the Big Sky over that period of time.

The University of Montana is simply used to winning. From top to bottom, no one in the Big Sky has such an innate confidence in athletic success. Whether on campus, in the arena, or at the post-game press conference, Griz Nation is not lacking in self-assurance. The stage is set for Weber State-Montana III tomorrow night from Missoula. The teams split their first two match-ups, each winning on their home floor. If tonight's terrific basketball was any sort of teaser, the Big Sky is about to go out with a bang. And the eyes of the college basketball world will be fixed upon the city of Missoula. The rubber match is about to commence, with the chance to dance on the line.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Expanded Standings | Meet the Teams
Games: 562 | Articles: 612

2012-13 Upsets 158/933 (16.9%)

2011-12 Upsets 153/988 (15.5%)

2010-11 Upsets 164/954 (17.2%)

Follow Us: @midmajority @ballybasketball @bbstate @wbbstate @redlineupsets

© 2004-13 The Mid-Majority Basketball Concern Ltd. and ComputerPants Robotics. Your host and commissioner is Kyle Whelliston.