MISSOULA -- Four players scored in double figures and the Montana men's basketball team defeated Eastern Washington 90-63 on Thursday night in Cheney, Washington.
True freshman Derrick Carter-Hollinger had the best game of his young career as he scored 20 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and four blocks off of the bench for Montana. Senior Sayeed Pridgett added 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while senior Kendal Manuel finished with 14 points and junior Timmy Falls added 12.
Eastern led 10-9 with 14:22 to play, but a bucket from Mack Anderson gave Montana the lead and the Grizzlies never looked back. Then, up 17-15, Montana went on a 10-3 run to distance itself and after grabbing a 34-23 lead thanks to a basket from Carter-Hollinger, Montana's lead never dipped into single digits again.
Carter-Hollinger scored 16 of his points in the first half including a layup right before the buzzer to give Montana a 46-28 lead at the break. He finished the game 9 for 12 from the field including 2 for 2 from deep in 30 minutes of work.
EWU got within 13 at 50-37 after a 3-pointer from Kim Aiken Jr., but that was as close as the Eagles got down the stretch.
Anderson gave Montana its first 20-point lead after making three straight baskets for Montana, the third coming at the 11:35 mark in the second half to make it 61-40. The Bozeman native and sophomore finished with eight points, three rebounds and one assist in 17 minutes of work as another spark off of the bench. Senior Jared Samuelson added eight points as well in the game.
Montana out-rebounded Eastern Washington 37-29 and forced 14 Eagle turnovers. Montana also had 21 assists on 32 made baskets.
Montana improves to 4-1 in Big Sky play to hold firm atop the standings. Montana is back in Missoula on Monday when the Grizzlies host Portland State (7-9, 1-3).
