Weber State Beats Montana On Last Second Shot

MISSOULA, Montana – The Weber State Wildcats travelled to Dahlberg Arena in Missoula to take on the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday.

The Wildcats last game was a home loss to the Idaho State Bengals. Montana’s last game was a road win against Northern Colorado.

Weber State, 7-9, is attempting to inch closer to even with a win against the Grizzlies. Montana, 8-8, is trying to regain a positive record for the first time in 5 weeks. Thanks to a four game losing streak in late-November and early-December, the Wildcats have yet to boast a positive record this season.

First Half

The Wildcats jumped out of the gates quick, making all three of their first shot attempts and forcing the Grizzlies to start 0 for 6.

That’s how we like to start!

DJ 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/kErttYKt2j

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

After four minutes of play, Weber State opened up a 9-0 early lead.

Montana quickly closed the gap, scoring 8 straight before the first timeout of the day.

After a rough start, the Griz are on an 8-0 run! Moody knocks down the triple and it’s GAME ON!#GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/lcqqmfgO5i

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

Montana expanded on the run, scoring 16 to the Weber State’s two in six minutes of game time.

The crowd gets a 😙 from Aanen Moody, who hits his third triple of the game and makes it a 16-2 run for the Griz!#GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/4jNvrjq0th

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

The Wildcat’s ended a five minute long scoring drought with a powerful two-handed dunk by Alex Tew.

Throw it down Alex Tew! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/7OmQnUrq91

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

Both sides shot inefficiently in the first half, failing to shoot at least 42% from the field.

Dillon Jones broke a stalemate with a deep three as time expired in the first half.

.@drizzydj23 with the stepback to end the half!

Wildcats up 28-25 at halftime! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/fPK3KGx4Zd

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

Weber State ended the half with a 3-point lead, 28-25.

Second Half

It’s a game of runs and Montana demonstrated that early in the second half. The Grizzlies took a 4-point lead after a 7-0 run.

A perfect way to start the second half! Back cut to Martin Jr. who finishes with style! #GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/QRlYw9rdF1

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

Aanen Moody and Josh Bannan were the leading scorers for Montana. Bannan joined the Grizzlies 1000-point club in this game and hit some tough shots along the way.

The turnaround with the soft touch falls for Bannan and we retake the lead 36-34! He’s up to 8 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.#GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/QXLCcBYBoD

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

Just after Montana took that 2-point lead, Junior Ballard came down the floor and put down a finger roll high off of the glass.

Dillon Jones had the hot-hand for Weber State. He shot 5/7 from three on the game.

DJ with his 4th 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/aPvbsJCFzE

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

Jones’ three-pointer initiated a shootout in Missoula.

KJ 3 and it’s a 9-0 Wildcat run! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/6NSBpG9MyG

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

The Grizzlies then answered with their own run comprised of three’s.

Another triple from @DischonThomas who has eight points this half and caps an 8-0 Griz run! We’re back on top inside Dahlberg. You won’t want to miss the end of this one!#GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/rw7wD6TnZZ

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

With less than four minutes in regulation, Aanen Moody got an and-one to take the lead for Montana.

𝐀𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐘! The three-point play from No. 11 has us on top 52-49 heading into the final media timeout!#GrizHoops #BigSkyMBB #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/Hl1pqfy5D4

— Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) January 13, 2023

In a game with over ten lead changes, the score was tied at 52 with 2 minutes left.

Josh Bannan broke the tie with a downhill layup plus the foul. Bannan missed the free throw and Junior Ballard made him pay for that mistake. Ballard drove inside on the other end and got an and-one play of his own.

.@Jrballard__ AND ONE!

‘Cats lead 55-54

0:51 to play! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/aDitFclp5W

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

After getting to the free throw line with ten seconds left, Moody gave the Grizzlies a 2-point lead.

Dillon Jones got to the line for the Wildcats on the other end and missed the first. He made the second, which made it a 1-point advantage for Montana.

After using their last timeout, the Grizzlies turned the ball over on the inbound which led to a quick three for Steven Verplancken Jr. with less than 3 seconds on the clock.

UNBELIEVABLE!

WILDCATS WIN!

Dyson Koehler the steal, Steven Verplancken the 3️⃣ and the Wildcats win 59-57 at Montana! #WeAreWeber #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/PvlxX5P7W3

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 13, 2023

The final score was 59-57.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.