Montana’s Win Makes Ewu No. 3
When Montana defeated Montana State 72-66 Saturday in Missoula, Eastern Washington, which did not play, claimed third place in men’s Big Sky Conference basketball with a 10-6 record.
The Eagles had been tied in the loss column with Montana State, but the Bobcats’ dropped into a fourth-place tie with Montana.
Portland State tied Eastern Washington for third place, but, as a condition of joining the conference, is not eligible for the conference tournament this season.
When the tournament opens Thursday in Flagstaff, Ariz., Eastern Washington will play sixth-seeded Cal State Northridge and Montana will play Montana State.
The top two seeds, Weber State and regular-season champion Northern Arizona, play the winners on Friday, with the host Lumberjacks drawing the lower remaining seed.
Big Sky Conference
Saturday’s games
Montana 72, Montana St. 66
CS Northridge 101, Idaho St. 87
Weber State 88, Sacramento St. 52
End of regular season
Around the Big Sky
Bob Olson scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Montana’s win… . Carl Holmes scored 18 points to lead CS Northridge over Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho.
Big West Conference
Saturday’s games
Boise State 72, Idaho 58
Cal Poly SLO 92, UC Irvine 82
Utah State 102, North Texas 76
Cal State Fullerton 76, UCSB 70
Pacific 63, Long Beach State 47
Today’s game
New Mexico St. at Nevada
End of regular season
Around the Big West
Michael Olowokandi had 18 points and 10 rebounds as Pacific won its 14th straight. The Tigers will be joined in the conference tournament by West Division foes Fullerton State, UC Irvine and Long Beach State. Cal Poly SLO was not eligible for the conference tournament. In the East Division, Utah State is No. 1 and Nevada No. 2. Boise State will advance as the third or fourth seed. If New Mexico State wins today, the Aggies will be the third seed. If New Mexico State loses, Idaho will slip in as the fourth seed… . Utah State’s senior-dominated starting lineup led the way in the Aggies’ final home game. Justin Jones scored 18 points, Kevin Rice 16 and Marcus Saxon 15.