Lofing scores 25, but Lady Griz fall to Kansas St.

Montana put up a fight and nearly pulled off the upset on Tuesday at Kansas State. 

After the Wildcats (4-0) used a strong start to the second half to build a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter, the Lady Griz, behind the scoring of Paige Lofing, began their comeback. 

It was a 10-point game, 54-44, entering the fourth quarter, a two-point game, 62-60, after Lofing scored inside with 1:50 to go, part of her 25-point game. 

But that would be as close as the Lady Griz (1-2) would get as the Wildcats sent thousands of kids home happy after holding on for the victory. 

“We’re not into moral victories, but if we can show some improvement in how we’re battling on the glass and in how we’re guarding the ball, I thought we did that today,” said coach Nate Harris. 

Lofing, who joined the Lady Griz in the offseason after playing at Gonzaga, was the star of the evening.  

“Paige knows how to score the basketball,” said Harris. “I thought she did some great things in the second half. We just needed a couple more to go in, but proud of our effort.”  

She opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to make it 54-47, Jocelyn Land hit three free throws with 5:14 to go to make it 60-54 and Lofing scored at the rim to make it 60-56 with 4:07 left. 

Two more Land free throws with 2:41 to go and Lofing’s basket at 1:50 on the clock pulled Montana within two, 62-60. 

Kansas State point guard Gina Garcia had six assists and two made baskets. Her drive and finish at the rim with 1:26 left, in a two-point contest, was the game’s key moment. 

Down four, Montana missed a good look at a three and one possession later missed a contested lay-up. Two free throws in the final seconds finally allowed the Wildcats to emerge with an unblemished record. 

Flathead graduate Kennedy Moore had six points and six rebounds in 23 minutes for the Lady Griz 

Taryn Sides led Kansas State with 18 points. 

Montana will host Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. inside Dahlberg Arena. The Cougars, who host Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday night, are 2-0.