Montana Grizzlies Face Eastern Washington for Big Sky Title on ESPN2
Alright, folks, it's a big one. The Montana Grizzlies are back in action, and this Monday night, they have the chance to clinch the Big Sky regular season title in front of a national audience on ESPN2. This is the kind of game that players and fans live for—high stakes, intense competition, and the energy of Dahlberg Arena under the bright lights.
Coming into this matchup, Montana sits at 21-9 overall and 14-3 in conference play , tied at the top of the Big Sky standings with Northern Colorado. A win against Eastern Washington (10-20, 6-11 Big Sky) would guarantee at least a share of the conference title, making it the program’s 13th regular season championship and the seventh since 2000 , which would set a new record in the league.
But let’s talk about what just happened. The Grizzlies had a heartbreaking loss at Portland State on Saturday. They led by double digits with less than five minutes to play, but the Vikings stormed back with a 10-0 run to force overtime, eventually handing Montana a 79-76 loss . It was the first time all season that Montana had lost a Big Sky game decided by single digits. And that stings.
That loss also snapped Montana’s incredible 10-game winning streak , a stretch that had them looking nearly unstoppable. And yet, despite the setback, the Griz still have everything to play for. Monday night isn't just about redemption—it's about securing a title on their home floor .
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Speaking of home, Dahlberg Arena has been a fortress this season. Montana is 14-1 at home , tied for the fifth-most home wins in a single season in program history. And this game? It’s special. It’s the first time Montana has played on one of the main ESPN channels under head coach Travis DeCuire . The atmosphere is going to be electric, with giveaways, a pregame show, free shirts, and even free beer for the first 100 students . If there was ever a game to show up loud and proud, this is it.
And let’s not forget about head coach Travis DeCuire . Just last week, he made history, securing his 222nd career win , making him the winningest coach in program history. That milestone win came at Sacramento State, passing the legendary George "Jiggs" Dahlberg—the man the Grizzlies’ arena is named after. Monday night will be his first home game since breaking the record , making it a celebration in more ways than one.
But if we're talking individual performances, Money Williams deserves a spotlight . The sophomore guard had the game of his life against Portland State, dropping 36 points , including 33 after halftime and all 15 of Montana’s final points in regulation . He even had a shot to win it at the buzzer, but it just rimmed out. That kind of effort shows just how dangerous he can be, and he’ll be a key player to watch in this championship showdown.
Montana has already locked up a top-two seed in the Big Sky Tournament, meaning they’ll have a first-round bye when the tournament kicks off. But before that, they have a chance to hang another banner. A win on Monday night would give the Grizzlies their first regular season title since 2019 .
So, Griz Nation, this is it. Monday night. 9:00 PM. ESPN2. The stakes couldn’t be higher. A win means history, a title, and a chance to cut down the nets in front of the home crowd . It’s "Dahlberg After Dark," and you won’t want to miss it.
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