FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Kevin Criswell scored 25 points as Montana defeated Eastern Washington 73-71 in overtime in the Big Sky Conference semifinals Tuesday.
Montana, the defending Big Sky tourney champion, blew a 13-point lead in the final 8:30. The Grizzlies are one win away from reaching the NCAA Tournament for the third time since 2002.
Rodney Stuckey, the Big Sky's Most Valuable Player, led Eastern Washington (15-15) with 26 points. He hit two free throws with 20 seconds left to force overtime.
Stuckey scored the first basket of overtime to put Eastern Washington up by two, but he later had a shot blocked, leading to a fast break lay-up, and committed a turnover. The Grizzlies clinched it by scoring six straight points after Eastern Washington took a 65-63 lead. Montana limited the Eagles to one field goal in the first four minutes of overtime. Full story
Northern Arizona 98, Sacramento State 83
Steven Sir scored 21 points and Tyrone Bazy added 20 points as top-seeded Northern Arizona defeated fifth-seeded Sacramento State.
Northern Arizona (21-9) advanced to Wednesday night's final, where the Lumberjacks will meet second-seeded Montana, a 73-71 overtime winner over third-seeded Eastern Washington in the other semifinal. NAU has won 11 straight at home.
Loren Leath came off the bench to lead the Hornets (15-15) with 20 points.
