CHENEY, Wash. (AP) — Art Steward had 19 points as Montana won for the ninth time in its last 10 games, beating Eastern Washington 74-60 on Thursday night.
Kareem Jamar had 15 points for the Grizzlies (14-6 overall, 7-1 Big Sky). Collin Chiverton scored 22 points for the Eagles (3-5, 9-12), who lost their fourth straight.
Leading by as many as 14 early, Montana saw Eastern Washington claw within 46-45 on Laron Griffin’s basket with 14:30 left. The Grizzlies responded with a 9-2 run, including five points from Mathias Ward, to take a 55-47 lead with12 minutes left. Eastern Washington never got closer than six after that.
Will Cherry had 11 points and Ward 10 for Montana. Laron Griffin had 12 points and Cliff Ederaine 10 for Eastern Washington.
Keron DeShields’ off-balance shot in the lane started a 12-1 burst that saw the Grizzlies take a 38-24 advantage late in the first half.
