The question going into Thursday night’s game in Flagstaff was whether one team (Montana) would be able to slow down the other (Northern Arizona), the one that leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring.
Turns out we had it all wrong. It was the Lady Griz who couldn’t be stopped on this night.
Montana shot 55.4 percent, had four players in double figures and out-rebounded the Lumberjacks by 16 to record a thorough road victory, 83-74 at the Rolle Activity Center.
It was the most points scored on the road by the Lady Griz in a non-overtime game since the NCAA tournament season of 2014-15, their best shooting performance away from home since 2013-14.
Montana scored the game’s first point, led for more than 34 minutes and, after falling behind late, closed the game on a cold-blooded 10-0 run over the final 1:43.
“Just a great effort by our entire team. Really proud of our kids, the focus they had to get ready for this game,” said coach Mike Petrino.
“We had our breakdowns, no question, but we never rattled. When they took the lead on us, we did a great job of staying composed and continuing to play. Just a great team win.”
Montana did not know if Khiarica Rasheed was going to play. The preseason Big Sky MVP had only played in three of NAU’s first 10 games this season.
But there she was, entering the game late in the first quarter. And Montana mostly neutralized her, limiting her to 2-of-8 shooting and seven quiet points.
For the most part, this win came against the team that was picked third in the preseason polls back in November.
“They had the preseason MVP, so we got them at full strength. It was two tough, competitive teams battling it out,” said Petrino.
“I’m really proud of the team. Our kids did a good job of playing so darn hard. I know we can play a little sharper, a little smarter, but I loved the effort. That was fantastic.”
Montana had a size advantage and the Lady Griz exploited it all game long, scoring a season-high 36 points in the paint.
But Montana won because of its balance. The Lady Griz went 8 for 18 from the arc, the fourth time this season they have connected on that many 3-pointers.
“I thought we did a good job of attacking them inside. If there was one spot we thought we would have an advantage, it was inside,” said Petrino.
“We believe establishing the paint opens up the three. If you can establish the paint like that and then hit some timely threes, it stretches out even more.”
That advantage revealed itself in the numbers put up by Carmen Gfeller and Abby Anderson. Gfeller finished with a game-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Anderson added a season-high 15 on 7-of-11 shooting.
But it was a 3-pointer by Gfeller, just her fifth of the season, that may have saved the day for Montana.
After the Lady Griz lead reached a dozen, 69-57, Northern Arizona went to the arc to cut it to one in a matter of four minutes. Then Rasheed gave the Lumberjacks the lead when she scored inside with just 2:04 to play.
It was a 17-4 run, and NAU led 74-73, its first lead since the second quarter.
Some teams melt away in that moment. Montana stood its ground and played large. An inexperienced team is coming of age in real time.
Gfeller rattled in a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:43 left to give Montana a lead it would never give back.
“We hit some timely buckets that were huge for us,” said Petrino, whose team held the Lumberjacks to 0-for-4 shooting after Gfeller’s game-winner.
“We were contesting shots, communicating our coverage, and the girls did a good job of that. Just some great defensive stops at the end. It was huge.”
After Sophia Stiles, who filled out the box score with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, scored in the paint to make it 78-74, Anderson put her stamp on the game.
When Emily Rodabaugh, who went 6 for 6 from the arc and finished with 18 points, got the ball at the top of the key with 35 seconds left, Anderson, correctly, closed out hard and forced a drive into the paint.
For most players, that would have been a job well done. But she wasn’t done. Anderson turned, tracked Rodabaugh to the basket and did not just block her shot but sent the ball right back at Rodabaugh, who was standing out of bounds following her shot.
Montana ball. Montana win.
The game wouldn’t have been winnable at the end had it not been for Montana’s excellent start, something that was another question coming in.
The Lady Griz fell behind by 12 points in the first half in their first Big Sky road game, at Northern Colorado, then trailed the Bears by 24 in the first half two days later.
That was nowhere to be seen on Thursday. Montana shot 8 for 12 in the first quarter. The only reason the game was tied 21-21 after one was the team’s seven turnovers. They would have just 11 over the final three quarters.
“The start was key, because we’ve had bad starts. Sophie took a leadership role in trying to have us have a better start,” said Petrino. “Whatever they did, it was great.”
Petrino was likely thrilled with the first-half box score. His team went 16 for 29 (.552) and seven players scored.
None was bigger than Jordyn Schweyen off the bench. The point-a-minute sniper hit three threes, scoring nine points in nine minutes.
“I was really proud of the kids off the bench. Jordyn Schweyen came in and was huge in the first half,” said Petrino.
Trailing 35-31 after leading for most of the opening half, Montana closed on a 9-0 run, on 3-pointers by Madi Schoening, Hannah Thurmon and Schweyen to take a 40-35 lead to the break.
They would hold that advantage for all but the few seconds late in the fourth between Rasheed’s basket and Gfeller’s triple.
“Just a lot of great performances. It was a heck of a basketball game for a fan. High scoring and just a great effort by our entire team,” said Petrino.
The challenge now, after an exhausting win, is to do it again, at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning when the teams square off a second time.
“It was a fast-paced, physical game. When we look to Saturday, we’re going to need to look to people who maybe didn’t have as big of a role tonight, because it’s going to be another battle,” said Petrino.
