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Martin Carries UM Past Mississippi Valley State

By Beacon Staff

SPOKANE (AP) – Matt Martin scored 11 of his team-high 16 points in the second half, carrying Montana past winless Mississippi Valley State 69-62 Sunday in the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Challenge.

Ceylon Elgin-Taylor added 11 points for the Grizzlies, including seven during a key 11-2 second-half burst that helped the Grizzlies (5-2) turn a 42-40 deficit into a 51-44 lead.

Stanford Speech led the Delta Devils (0-5) with 24 points.

MVSU got as close as three, 63-60, on Speech’s jumper with 23 seconds left, but Martin and Ryan Staudacher each hit a pair of free throws to help Montana put it away.

Jordan Hasquet had 13 points and seven rebounds and Andrew Strait 10 points and eight rebounds for the hot-shooting Grizzlies, who hit 28-of-44 for the game. Cameron Rundles chipped in six assists.

A day after being held to 26 points in a loss to No. 9-ranked Washington State, MVSU had that and more by halftime, grabbing a 30-28 edge at the intermission on Mike Davis’ baseline drive with 11 seconds remaining.

Carl Lucas scored 21 and had five rebounds for the Delta Devils, who forced 18 Montana turnovers. Washington State played Air Force the tournament’s second game on Sunday.