
Montana
(-4.5)

Northern Arizona
(+4.5)
Highlights
Preview
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — The Montana Grizzlies look to complete a regular-season sweep and solidify their position in the Big Sky Conference when they visit the struggling Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Monday night at Walkup Skydome. Montana (9-8, 3-1 Big Sky) enters with momentum from a strong start to conference play, despite a narrow 66-65 road loss at Eastern Washington on Jan. 10. The Grizzlies previously handled Northern Arizona 78-64 in Missoula on Jan. 1, part of a recent stretch where they have won three of their last four. The Grizzlies are led by standout guard Money Williams, who is averaging 23.8 points over his last four games. Williams scored 35 points in a win at Idaho on Jan. 8 and 31 against Northern Colorado on Jan. 3. He was held to 11 points in the first meeting with NAU but contributed five assists. Northern Arizona (6-13, 0-4) seeks its first conference win amid a six-game losing streak. The Lumberjacks are coming off a 63-52 loss at Portland State on Saturday. Their last victory was a non-conference rout of Benedictine Mesa on Dec. 29. Guard Brennan Peterson has been a consistent presence for the Lumberjacks, logging a team-high 39 minutes against Portland State. NAU has struggled offensively during its skid, failing to reach 70 points in five of the six losses. Montana’s recent success has been fueled by more than just Williams. Brooklyn Hicks (15 points) and Kenyon Aguino (11 points) provided key support in the loss at Eastern Washington. The Lumberjacks will need to find an answer defensively after allowing Montana to shoot 50% from the field in the Jan. 1 matchup. NAU’s Traivar Jackson and Arne Osojnik will be counted on to provide scoring punch alongside Peterson. Monday’s contest is the first of two games this week for both teams. Montana hosts Weber State on Thursday, while Northern Arizona prepares to host Northern Colorado next Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at the Walkup Skydome.