Big Sky: Williams scores 40, Griz move into semis

BOISE, Idaho — Money was money, again.

Money Williams scored a career-best 40 points, including six free throws after Northern Colorado cut a 17-point deficit to three in the final 2:07, and Montana beat the Bears 95-89 in a Big Sky Conference quarterfinal. 

Williams and the Grizzlies (17-15) advanced to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. semifinal against No. 1 seed Portland State, a team they beat twice during the regular season. The conference championship is set for an 8:30 p.m. tip on Wednesday at the Idaho Central Arena, and will air on ESPNU. 

Williams had 18 points by halftime to help Montana to a 49-32 lead. Northern Colorado (20-12) came out of intermission hot, with Ring Nyeri hitting a 3-pointer to start a 7-0 run that cut the gap to 49-39. 

Montana’s advantage stayed around double figures and hit 74-59 when Williams — who was 18 of 19 at the line — hit two free throws with 8:10 left. Then the Bears started putting some pressure on. 

Quinn Denker’s hit a layup and 3-pointer to bring UNC to 76-72 with 4:49 left; it was Denker who drove for a layup to cut UM’s lead to 81-78 with 2:07 remaining. 

After Williams hit two free throws, UNC’s Ibu Yamazaki drained a three to make it 83-81. Williams hit two more free throws, Nyeri missed a three and the Griz hit six free throws and got a dunk from Kenyon Aguino in the final minute. 

Williams was 10 of 21 from the floor, and 2 of 5 from the arc. He added seven rebounds and three assists. 

Tyler Thompson added 14 points, Aguino 12 and Te’Jon Sawyer and Grant Kepley 11 each for UM. Aguino had eight rebounds. 

Denker had 29 points for the Bears, knocking down 10 of 12 free throws. Yamazaki added 16, hitting 3 of 10 3-pointers. Brock Wisne had 15 points and 11 rebounds; Nyeri had 12 points and nine boards.