Rorie scores 20, leads Montana over Montana State 83-79
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Ahmaad Rorie scored 20 points including four late free throws to help Montana hold off Montana State 83-78 on Saturday night for its fifth straight win.
A 16-6 surge gave Montana a 77-69 lead with just under four minutes to play. Harald Frey scored four points and Devin Kirby added an emphatic dunk to pull Montana State to 77-75 with 2:21 left.
Frey missed a potential go-ahead 3 with 1:16 remaining. Sayeed Pridgett's layup and Rorie's two free throws made it 81-75. Ladan Ricketts hit a 3-pointer to get the Bobcats to 81-78, but Rorie made two more free throws to seal it.
Michael Oguine added 17 points for the Grizzlies (15-6, 8-2 Big Sky Conference), who have won 16 of the last 17 games against Montana State (8-12, 5-5) dating to the 2010-11 season.
Tyler Hall scored 21 of his 26 points in first half to lead the Bobcats. Frey chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists.
The Bobcats closed the first half on a 10-0 run for a 48-46 halftime advantage.
