Feb. 6, 2010
Final Stats
Complete Stat Packet: Montana 91, Idaho State 68 
Missoula, ID --- Anthony Johnson showed why he is a Player of the Year candidate, and why Montana is perhaps the most dangerous team in the league, as he scored 30 points and Montana blew open a tight game over the last 15 minutes to win going away 91-68, pushing Idaho State further away from the magical sixth place slot in the Big Sky, the final conference tournament berth.
Idaho State played without leading scorer Amorrow Morgan, who sprained his ankle against Montana State on Friday night, and they missed him. Montana's Anthony Johnson, their leading scorer, seemingly couldn't miss, hitting four threes, three of them at the end of the shot clock, and hitting 12-of-14 free throws as well and coming out of the game to a standing ovation with 8:03 left in the contest.
The Bengals, despite being shorthanded, cut a 13-point lead down to five at 47-42 after a three-point by by Chron Tatum, but Montana as Will Cherry and Johnson combined to score seven straight points to extend the lead out. At 56-46, Austin Kilpatrick was whistled for an intentional foul, and then a technical right afterwards, and Montana hit all four free throws and a three by Johnson on the ensuing possession, and all of a sudden it was 65-46.
Montana was hot all night, but they seemingly couldn't miss in the second half, hitting 17-of-24 (71%) in the half and shooting .653 for the game. ISU wasn't any slouch either, hitting .479 for the game and committing just 10 turnovers, but Montana won the rebounding battle 30-20 and had just 12 turnovers themselves.
For the Bengals, Broderick Gilchrest scored 22 points, and Austin Kilpatrick and Chron Tatum each added 13. Demetrius Monroe chipped in 10. For the Griz besides Johnson, Brian Qvale had 18 points and nine boards. Tatum led ISU with six rebounds.
The loss drops Idaho State to 6-17 on the season and 3-8 in the conference, and they are at 2 ½ games out of the final playoff spot with six to go. The Bengals take on Northern Colorado on Friday at 7:05 pm at Reed Gym.
NOTES: Idaho State was whistled for three technicals, including two on O'Brien at the 18:47 mark, earning his third career ejection. Assistant coach Geoff Alexander took over in his stead ... Montana's Vassy Banny also had an international foul in the second half ... Montana improved for 8-4 in the conference and 17-7 overall.
