Money Williams scores national honor

MISSOULA —  Money Williams put together two of the best back-to-back games in Montana program history last week, and that has led to national recognition: The junior guard was named the Lou Henson Award National Player of the Week, CollegeInsider.com announced Monday. 

“This is very, very special,” Grizzlies coach Travis DeCuire said. “I’m not sure that I’ve been on a staff that has had a national player of the week before. Obviously, a lot plays into that, the numbers that he put up were impressive and a big win on the road always helps. I’m very happy for Money, it’s been a long road to good health, and his game has matured a lot in the last year.” 

Williams became the first Grizzly since 2008 to score 30-plus points in back-to-back games when he put up 30 in a road win at UNLV and followed it up with 31 points against Cal Poly.  

He shot 56 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range, helping Montana snap a 21-game road losing streak in the month of November with its 102-93 victory at UNLV. Williams was the first Griz player to score 30 points and record 8 assists in the same game.  

He carried that momentum back home, scoring 23 points in the second half of the Grizzlies’ 90-82 win over Cal Poly. He was 8 of 11 from the floor after halftime and had six assists and four rebounds. 

Since halftime of the Grizzlies’ 91-68 loss at Stanford, Williams has scored 80 points in 86 minutes of action.  The 4-1 Grizzlies play at Texas A&M on Tuesday night looking for their best six-game start to a season since 2005.