Big Sky roundup: North Dakota upends Weber State

Geno Crandall had 21 points on Saturday with a one-handed, tomahawk dunk in the final seconds to round off North Dakota’s 78-71 victory over Weber State in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

The Fighting Hawks (12-10, 7-4) led by eight at the break and never trailed in the second half. The Wildcats (16-7, 8-2) hung around and threatened late when Ryan Richardson’s 3-pointer pulled them within 64-59.

But North Dakota made 12 of 14 free throws before Crandall’s final dunk to ward off Weber State in the final two minutes. The Wildcats scored 12 in the same time frame, including Jeremy Senglin’s two 3-pointers.

Quinton Hooker added 18 points for North Dakota. Drick Bernstine and Conner Avants scored 12 apiece and Adam McDermott had 11.

Senglin had 16 of his 28 points in the second half and finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range. Joel Bolomboy added 13 points and Richardson 11 for the Wildcats.

Montana 82, Portland State 80: Martin Breunig had 26 of his career-high 32 points in the second half to power the Grizzlies’ comeback win over the host Vikings.

Breunig made 13 of 14 from the field, 6 of 7 from the foul line and grabbed 10 rebounds. Montana (14-8, 9-2) took sole possession of first place in the conference standings with Weber State’s loss.

Portland State (8-13, 4-6) tied it at 68 on De’Sean Parsons’ 3-point play, but Breunig answered with two consecutive 3-point plays and Montana never trailed from there. Walter Wright clinched it, splitting a pair of free throws for a four-point lead with 7.3 seconds to play.

Montana rallied from an 11-point deficit early in the second half, taking its first lead since the opening minutes at 64-63 on Wright’s 3-pointer with 6:21 left. Wright finished with 17 points.

Donivine Stewart led the Vikings with 17 points.

Idaho State 90, Northern Colorado 57: For the second time in three games, Geno Luzcando tied his career high scoring 30 points on 12-for-20 shooting from the field as the Bengals dismantled the Bears in Greeley, Colorado.

Idaho State (11-11, 6-4) broke free from a 12-all tie with a 24-6 run capped a Luzcando’s 3 with 4:38 left before halftime. The Bengals led 45-24 at the half.

The second half started with Idaho State using a 15-4 run – capped by Gary Chivichyan’s 3 – to build a commanding 60-28 lead with 14:56 to play.

Kyle Ingram scored 13 points for Idaho State, Chivichyan had 12 and Ethan Telfair added 11 points and seven assists.

Anthony Johnson led Northern Colorado (8-11, 5-6) with 16 points and Ibrahim Sylla added 11. The Bears shot 2 for 18 from 3-point range.

Northern Colorado entered the game averaging 75 points a game, but surrendering 80.2 per contest.

Montana State 79, Sacramento State 76: Tyler Hall scored 25 points with five 3-pointers and the visiting Bobcats held off the Hornets to end a two-game skid.

Marcus Colbert scored 16, Zach Green added 14 points and Montana State (10-13, 5-6) never trailed in outrebounding Sacramento State 47-39.

Quinton Everett grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds and Montana State scored 20 second-chance points off of 19 offensive boards.

Up by as many as 15 points in the first half, the Bobcats led 38-34 at halftime and pulled ahead 71-58 after scoring 10 unanswered points only to have the Hornets close in the final seconds.

Grant Dressler’s 3-pointer pulled the Hornets within 75-73 with 8 seconds left, and then Dreon Barlett’s 3 with 3 seconds left made it a one-point game, 77-76. Colbert was fouled and hit both free throws for the win.

Justin String led the Hornets (10-11, 3-7) with 23 points.