Montana State beats Montana 85-70 for third straight Big Sky Tournament title
AP
Mar 14, 2024
BOISE, Idaho (AP) Robert Ford III scored 22 points and No. 5 seed Montana State Bobcats beat third-seeded Montana Grizzlies 85-70 on Wednesday night to win the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Montana State (17-17) advances to the Big Dance for the third straight season and sixth time overall. Montana (23-11) was aiming for its 12th appearance after sweeping the Bobcats during the regular season.
Ford made 8 of 13 shots with two 3-pointers and 4 of 5 free throws for Montana State. He added nine rebounds, five steals and four assists. John Olmsted totaled 16 points and five rebounds off the bench. Eddie Turner III had 15 points, Brandon Walker 14 and Tyler Patterson 12.
Josh Vazquez had 20 points to lead the Grizzlies. Aanen Moody and Laolu Oke each scored 14. Brandon Whitney pitched in with 13 points and six rebounds.
Moody was fouled on a 3-pointer and made all three free throws, Josh Vazquez followed with a 3-pointer and Montana closed out the half on an 8-2 run to lead 38-32 at halftime.
Montana took an 11-point lead three times in the first three minutes of the second half, the last at 49-38 on Moody's layup.
Montana State trailed by seven when Turner scored in the paint and Ford and Patterson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Bobcats up 51-50 with 12:25 remaining. Patterson hit two free throws and nailed a 3-pointer to help the Bobcats pull away from a 53-all tie to a 62-53 advantage with 8:30 left to play.
The run grew to 14-0 and Montana State led 67-53 before Moody's layup for the Grizzlies ended the spurt. First-year coach Matt Logie's Bobcats weren't threatened from there.
Weber State is the only other team to win three straight Big Sky tourney titles, doing so from 1978-80.
---
Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here --- AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Copyright 2025 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
MTST
Bobcats
32
MONT
Grizzlies
38
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Brandon Walker vs. Laolu Oke (Grizzlies gains possession)
19:38
Brandon Whitney misses two point jump shot
19:36
Laolu Oke offensive rebound
19:33
Brian Goracke personal foul (Laolu Oke draws the foul)
19:27
Tyler Patterson shooting foul (Laolu Oke draws the foul)
19:27
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 1 of 2
0-1
19:27
Laolu Oke misses regular free throw 2 of 2
19:27
Brandon Walker defensive rebound
19:14
Brandon Walker misses two point layup
19:12
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
18:59
+2
Laolu Oke makes two point dunk (Aanen Moody assists)
0-3
18:42
Eddie Turner III misses two point jump shot
18:40
Aanen Moody defensive rebound
18:30
Aanen Moody misses two point layup
18:28
Brandon Walker defensive rebound
18:23
+3
Brian Goracke makes three point jump shot (Robert Ford III assists)
3-3
18:02
Dischon Thomas misses three point jump shot
18:00
Brandon Walker defensive rebound
17:44
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point layup
5-3
17:25
Josh Vazquez misses two point jump shot
17:23
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
17:16
Dischon Thomas blocks Robert Ford III's three point jump shot
17:14
Laolu Oke defensive rebound
16:58
Laolu Oke misses two point layup
16:56
Brandon Walker defensive rebound
16:50
Tyler Patterson misses three point jump shot
16:48
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
16:33
Robert Ford III personal foul
16:22
Eddie Turner III shooting foul (Brandon Whitney draws the foul)
16:22
+1
Brandon Whitney makes regular free throw 1 of 2
5-4
16:22
Brandon Whitney misses regular free throw 2 of 2
16:22
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
16:06
+2
Tyler Patterson makes two point jump shot
7-4
15:45
Dischon Thomas turnover (bad pass) (Robert Ford III steals)
15:45
Aanen Moody personal foul (Robert Ford III draws the foul)
15:45
TV timeout
15:37
John Olmsted misses two point alley-oop dunk
15:35
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
15:16
Te'Jon Sawyer misses two point hook shot
15:14
Bobcats defensive rebound
14:49
John Olmsted misses two point hook shot
14:47
Sam Lecholat offensive rebound
14:35
Sam Lecholat misses three point jump shot
14:33
Robert Ford III offensive rebound
14:29
Jump ball. (Bobcats gains possession)
14:20
Tyler Patterson misses three point jump shot
14:18
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
13:59
Aanen Moody misses three point jump shot
13:57
Sam Lecholat defensive rebound
13:52
+2
John Olmsted makes two point dunk (Robert Ford III assists)
9-4
13:51
Grizzlies 30 second timeout
13:37
+3
Josh Vazquez makes three point jump shot (Dischon Thomas assists)
9-7
13:24
John Olmsted offensive foul
13:24
John Olmsted turnover (offensive foul)
13:02
+2
Aanen Moody makes two point jump shot
9-9
12:43
Eddie Turner III misses three point jump shot
12:41
Sam Lecholat offensive rebound
12:35
+2
John Olmsted makes two point alley-oop dunk (Eddie Turner III assists)
11-9
12:24
+3
Aanen Moody makes three point jump shot (Brandon Whitney assists)
11-12
12:02
Brian Goracke misses three point jump shot
12:00
Aanen Moody defensive rebound
11:46
Aanen Moody misses three point jump shot
11:44
Brian Goracke defensive rebound
11:34
Robert Ford III misses three point jump shot
11:32
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
11:24
Brandon Whitney misses two point layup
11:22
Laolu Oke offensive rebound
11:20
+2
Laolu Oke makes two point layup
11-14
10:58
+2
Tyler Patterson makes two point jump shot
13-14
10:35
+3
Josh Vazquez makes three point jump shot (Laolu Oke assists)
13-17
10:22
TV timeout
10:03
+3
Robert Ford III makes three point jump shot
16-17
9:43
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point layup (Laolu Oke assists)
16-19
9:17
+2
John Olmsted makes two point alley-oop dunk (Robert Ford III assists)
18-19
8:51
Sam Lecholat shooting foul (Laolu Oke draws the foul)
8:51
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 1 of 2
18-20
8:51
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 2 of 2
18-21
8:38
Te'Jon Sawyer shooting foul (Brandon Walker draws the foul)
8:38
Brandon Walker misses regular free throw 1 of 2
8:38
Brandon Walker misses regular free throw 2 of 2
8:38
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
8:26
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point layup
18-23
8:04
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup
20-23
7:44
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point jump shot
20-25
7:27
Brandon Walker misses three point jump shot
7:25
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
7:06
Brandon Whitney misses two point layup
7:04
Jaxon Nap personal foul (Sam Lecholat draws the foul)
7:04
TV timeout
6:50
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup
22-25
6:30
Dischon Thomas turnover (traveling)
6:21
Eddie Turner III misses two point jump shot
6:19
Laolu Oke defensive rebound
6:03
Josh Vazquez misses three point jump shot
6:01
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
5:53
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point jump shot
24-25
5:33
Laolu Oke turnover (bad pass)
5:07
Brandon Walker misses three point jump shot
5:05
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
4:45
Brian Goracke shooting foul (Laolu Oke draws the foul)
4:45
Laolu Oke misses regular free throw 1 of 2
4:45
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 2 of 2
24-26
4:34
Tyler Patterson misses three point jump shot
4:32
Josh Vazquez defensive rebound
4:32
Robert Ford III personal foul (Josh Vazquez draws the foul)
4:32
+1
Josh Vazquez makes regular free throw 1 of 2
24-27
4:32
+1
Josh Vazquez makes regular free throw 2 of 2
24-28
4:25
Eddie Turner III misses three point jump shot
4:23
Josh Vazquez defensive rebound
3:57
Te'Jon Sawyer turnover (traveling)
3:57
TV timeout
3:52
+2
John Olmsted makes two point alley-oop dunk (Eddie Turner III assists)
26-28
3:20
Laolu Oke misses two point layup
3:18
Tyler Patterson defensive rebound
3:11
Josh Vazquez blocks Eddie Turner III's two point layup
3:09
Bobcats offensive rebound
2:51
+3
Sam Lecholat makes three point jump shot (Jed Miller assists)
29-28
2:24
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point jump shot
29-30
2:17
Jed Miller misses two point jump shot
2:15
Josh Vazquez defensive rebound
2:00
Brandon Whitney misses two point jump shot
1:58
Sam Lecholat defensive rebound
1:43
Laolu Oke shooting foul (John Olmsted draws the foul)
1:43
John Olmsted misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:43
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 2 of 2
30-30
1:29
Tyler Patterson shooting foul (Aanen Moody draws the foul)
1:29
+1
Aanen Moody makes regular free throw 1 of 3
30-31
1:29
+1
Aanen Moody makes regular free throw 2 of 3
30-32
1:29
+1
Aanen Moody makes regular free throw 3 of 3
30-33
1:09
Jed Miller misses two point jump shot
1:07
Jaxon Nap defensive rebound
0:47
+3
Josh Vazquez makes three point jump shot (Brandon Whitney assists)
30-36
0:40
Bobcats 30 second timeout
0:31
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point jump shot
32-36
0:04
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point layup
32-38
0:01
Eddie Turner III turnover (bad pass) (Josh Vazquez steals)
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
MTST
Bobcats
53
MONT
Grizzlies
32
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:47
Brandon Whitney turnover (Brandon Walker steals)
19:38
Brian Goracke misses two point jump shot
19:36
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
19:29
+2
Aanen Moody makes two point layup
32-40
19:03
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point jump shot
34-40
18:42
Brandon Whitney misses two point layup
18:40
Dischon Thomas offensive rebound
18:35
+3
Dischon Thomas makes three point jump shot
34-43
18:18
Brandon Walker misses two point layup
18:16
Aanen Moody defensive rebound
18:10
+2
Laolu Oke makes two point layup
34-45
17:52
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup (Robert Ford III assists)
36-45
17:52
Dischon Thomas shooting foul (Brandon Walker draws the foul)
17:52
Brandon Walker misses regular free throw 1 of 1
17:52
Laolu Oke defensive rebound
17:37
+2
Laolu Oke makes two point dunk
36-47
17:19
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point jump shot
38-47
17:09
+2
Aanen Moody makes two point layup
38-49
16:46
Tyler Patterson misses three point jump shot
16:44
Josh Vazquez defensive rebound
16:20
Aanen Moody misses three point jump shot
16:18
Brandon Walker defensive rebound
16:08
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point jump shot
40-49
15:53
Aanen Moody turnover
15:48
Robert Ford III misses three point jump shot
15:46
Brandon Walker offensive rebound
15:42
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup
42-49
15:19
Josh Vazquez turnover (Eddie Turner III steals)
15:15
Eddie Turner III misses two point layup
15:12
Brandon Whitney shooting foul
15:12
TV timeout
15:12
Eddie Turner III misses regular free throw 1 of 2
15:12
+1
Eddie Turner III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
43-49
14:52
Josh Vazquez misses three point jump shot
14:50
John Olmsted defensive rebound
14:41
Eddie Turner III misses two point jump shot
14:39
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
14:15
Brandon Whitney misses two point jump shot
14:13
Josh Vazquez offensive rebound
13:56
Aanen Moody misses three point jump shot
13:54
Dischon Thomas offensive rebound
13:50
Sam Lecholat shooting foul (Dischon Thomas draws the foul)
13:50
+1
Dischon Thomas makes regular free throw 1 of 2
43-50
13:50
Dischon Thomas misses regular free throw 2 of 2
13:50
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
13:32
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point jump shot
45-50
13:14
Jaxon Nap turnover (Eddie Turner III steals)
13:06
Robert Ford III misses two point jump shot
13:04
Robert Ford III offensive rebound
13:00
+3
Robert Ford III makes three point jump shot
48-50
12:41
Dischon Thomas misses three point jump shot
12:39
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
12:25
+3
Tyler Patterson makes three point jump shot
51-50
11:51
John Olmsted shooting foul (Dischon Thomas draws the foul)
11:51
TV timeout
11:51
Dischon Thomas misses regular free throw 1 of 2
11:51
+1
Dischon Thomas makes regular free throw 2 of 2
51-51
11:38
Laolu Oke shooting foul (John Olmsted draws the foul)
11:38
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 1 of 2
52-51
11:38
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 2 of 2
53-51
11:27
+2
Josh Vazquez makes two point layup (Laolu Oke assists)
53-53
11:15
Sam Lecholat misses three point jump shot
11:13
John Olmsted offensive rebound
10:59
+2
John Olmsted makes two point hook shot
55-53
10:31
Brandon Whitney turnover (Robert Ford III steals)
10:22
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point layup
57-53
10:06
Tyler Patterson personal foul
10:06
Aanen Moody technical foul
10:06
Aanen Moody turnover
10:06
+1
Tyler Patterson makes technical free throw 1 of 2
58-53
10:06
+1
Tyler Patterson makes technical free throw 2 of 2
59-53
9:57
Eddie Turner III misses two point jump shot
9:55
Laolu Oke defensive rebound
9:28
Josh Vazquez misses two point jump shot
9:26
Laolu Oke offensive rebound
9:22
Laolu Oke misses two point layup
9:20
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
9:15
Aanen Moody personal foul
9:10
Sam Lecholat misses three point jump shot
9:08
Brandon Whitney defensive rebound
8:43
Josh Vazquez misses three point jump shot
8:41
Laolu Oke offensive rebound
8:37
Laolu Oke misses two point layup
8:35
John Olmsted defensive rebound
8:28
+3
Tyler Patterson makes three point jump shot (Eddie Turner III assists)
62-53
8:25
Grizzlies 30 second timeout
8:25
TV timeout
7:59
Dischon Thomas misses two point jump shot
7:57
Sam Lecholat defensive rebound
7:37
Giordan Williams shooting foul (John Olmsted draws the foul)
7:37
TV timeout
7:37
John Olmsted misses regular free throw 1 of 2
7:37
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 2 of 2
63-53
7:19
Aanen Moody misses two point jump shot
7:17
John Olmsted defensive rebound
7:10
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point jump shot
65-53
6:48
Josh Vazquez misses three point jump shot
6:46
Dischon Thomas offensive rebound
6:43
John Olmsted personal foul
6:43
Grizzlies 30 second timeout
6:42
Josh Vazquez turnover (Robert Ford III steals)
6:30
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point jump shot
67-53
6:10
Josh Vazquez misses two point jump shot
6:08
John Olmsted defensive rebound
5:56
Eddie Turner III misses three point jump shot
5:54
Aanen Moody defensive rebound
5:47
+2
Aanen Moody makes two point layup
67-55
5:34
+2
Eddie Turner III makes two point layup
69-55
5:20
Robert Ford III personal foul
5:18
Josh Vazquez turnover
4:54
Eddie Turner III misses three point jump shot
4:52
Sam Lecholat offensive rebound
4:45
Bobcats 30 second timeout
4:36
Dischon Thomas personal foul (John Olmsted draws the foul)
4:36
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 1 of 2
70-55
4:36
+1
John Olmsted makes regular free throw 2 of 2
71-55
4:23
+2
Dischon Thomas makes two point hook shot
71-57
4:23
Sam Lecholat shooting foul (Dischon Thomas draws the foul)
4:23
+1
Dischon Thomas makes regular free throw 1 of 1
71-58
4:10
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point jump shot
73-58
4:03
Brandon Whitney turnover (Robert Ford III steals)
3:41
+2
Robert Ford III makes two point layup
75-58
3:14
Laolu Oke turnover (lost ball)
3:12
TV timeout
2:44
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup
77-58
2:27
Aanen Moody misses three point jump shot
2:25
Tyler Patterson defensive rebound
2:18
Josh Vazquez blocks Robert Ford III's two point layup
2:17
Bobcats offensive rebound
2:17
Grizzlies 30 second timeout
2:13
+2
Brandon Walker makes two point layup
79-58
2:04
Sam Lecholat personal foul
2:04
+1
Dischon Thomas makes regular free throw 1 of 2
79-59
2:04
Dischon Thomas misses regular free throw 2 of 2
2:04
Josh Vazquez offensive rebound
1:57
+3
Josh Vazquez makes three point jump shot (Aanen Moody assists)
79-62
1:56
Eddie Turner III personal foul (Laolu Oke draws the foul)
1:56
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 1 of 2
79-63
1:56
+1
Laolu Oke makes regular free throw 2 of 2
79-64
1:50
Giordan Williams personal foul
1:50
Robert Ford III misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:50
Dischon Thomas defensive rebound
1:39
Josh Vazquez misses three point jump shot
1:37
Robert Ford III defensive rebound
1:35
Laolu Oke personal foul (Robert Ford III draws the foul)
1:35
+1
Robert Ford III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
80-64
1:35
+1
Robert Ford III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
81-64
1:27
+2
Josh Vazquez makes two point layup
81-66
1:08
Josh Vazquez personal foul (Eddie Turner III draws the foul)
1:08
+1
Eddie Turner III makes regular free throw 1 of 2
82-66
1:08
+1
Eddie Turner III makes regular free throw 2 of 2
83-66
0:58
+2
Brandon Whitney makes two point jump shot
83-68
0:54
Eddie Turner III turnover (lost ball) (Josh Vazquez steals)
0:52
+2
Josh Vazquez makes two point layup
83-70
0:49
Bobcats 30 second timeout
0:36
Laolu Oke personal foul (Robert Ford III draws the foul)
