The Montana Lady Griz secured a 78-70 victory over Eastern Washington Eagles in their Big Sky Conference opener, thrilling a crowd of 2,304 fans at Dahlberg Arena. The game remained tied at 40-40 at halftime, but Montana surged ahead in the fourth quarter, outscoring Eastern Washington 24-18. Key contributions from players like Dani Bartsch, Mack Konig, Avery Waddington, and MJ Bruno helped secure the win for UM. Bruno led the team with 15 points, followed by Waddington with 12, and Bartsch, Konig, and Tyler McCliment-Call with 11 each.
The Lady Griz shot the ball at 41.2%, slightly better than Eastern Washington’s 41.3%, but the difference came in three-pointers, with UM hitting 13 compared to EWU’s 6. Leading the Eagles was Ella Gallatin with 22 points. The game took on a somber tone as Montana honored the late Malia Kipp, a Lady Griz legend who tragically passed away earlier in the week. Former UM head coach Robin Selvig praised Kipp’s legacy as a trailblazer for Native American female basketball players.
The emotional moment before the game saw Selvig reminiscing about his last interaction with Kipp and the impact she had on those around her. Despite the loss, the Lady Griz played with determination, fueled by the memory of Kipp’s spirit. Montana will continue to carry Kipp’s legacy forward as they navigate the rest of the season with her memory in their hearts.
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