Montana holds off Eastern

MISSOULA – Kareem Jamar scored 23 points – 14 in the second half – and Montana held off Eastern Washington 82-77 on Saturday night, denying the Eagles attempt to sweep the Montana schools in football and basketball for the first time.

Montana missed three free throws in the final minute and Eastern Washington responded by scoring nine points to close within three with 4 seconds remaining. Keron DeShields knocked down both of his free throws for Montana’s final possession to seal it for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies (12-9, 7-5 Big Sky) closed out the first half on an 11-5 run after leading by just three, and entered the break ahead 41-32. They opened the second half on a 7-0 run as the Eagles went 4:08 without a basket.

Tyler Harvey led Eastern Washington (10-13, 5-7) with 24 points after making all 11 shots from the free-throw line and Drew Brandon added 19.

Montana knocked down 10 3-pointers and shot 41.7 percent from distance.

The Eagles’ five wins in six games is the most for Eastern Washington in the two sports against the Grizzles and Montana State.