The Montana men's basketball team bounced back from a three-game skid and topped Idaho State 64-58 on Thursday evening in Pocatello, Idaho.
Josh Bannan finished with his third double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds while Brandon Whitney added 14 points and Cameron Parker finished with 10 points and six assists for the Grizzlies (10-12, 6-9 Big Sky Conference). UM finished shooting 44.7% from the field and 7 for 17 from 3-point range. Montana also went 15 for 22 from the free throw line.
The win was Montana's 20th straight victory over Idaho State.
UM didn't mess around out of the gates, grabbing a 17-4 lead with 11:39 to go in the first half after a 3-pointer from Josh Vazquez. Idaho State got within six points in the first half, but Montana went into the break up 34-23.
Idaho State got within 58-53 with 4:21 to play, but that was as close as it got as Montana held on down the stretch to get back into the win column.
Austin Smellie led ISU (12-8, 7-4) with 10 points. The Bengals shot the ball at a 35.2% clip from the field and went 4 for 24 from deep and 16 for 24 from the charity stripe.
Montana and Idaho State will clash again on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Idaho.
