Montana guard Brandon Whitney (12) works the ball around the defense of Northern Colorado guard Langston Reynolds (6) during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Kai Johnson scored six of his 23 points late to help No. 2 seed Montana pull away and beat top-seeded Northern Colorado 91-83 in the Big Sky Championship title game on Wednesday night.
Montana lead by as many as 14 points early in the second half, but Northern Colorado later used an 18-9 surge to pull within 74-73 with 3:35 remaining. Johnson answered with a three-point play and a 3-pointer to stretch the Grizzlies’ lead to 80-73 with 2:24 left. The Bears got within five points twice but didn’t get closer.
Montana (25-9), which has won 14 of its last 15 games, collected its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2019 and its 12th overall to extend its conference record. The Grizzlies also won their 51st Big Sky Tournament game, surpassing Weber State for the most in league history.
Brandon Whitney added 18 points for Montana, which shot 65% (30 of 46) overall and 24 of 28 (86%) from the free-throw line. Joe Pridgen chipped in with 17 points and Malik Moore had 15.
Jaron Rillie scored 24 points and had six assists to lead Northern Colorado (25-9). Langston Reynolds added 18 points, Brock Wisne had 15 and Isaiah Hawthorne had 14.
Montana took the lead for good midway through the first half and led 48-39 at the break. Moore scored seven points during an 11-6 spurt to give the Grizzlies a 59-45 advantage with 16:22 to play.
Northern Colorado’s last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2011.
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Montana guard Joe Pridgen (11) throws the ball back to a teammate against Northern Colorado during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Montana guard Joe Pridgen (11) looks to pass the ball as the Northern Colorado defense double teams him during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Montana forward Te'Jon Sawyer (32) comes down with a rebound late in the second half against Northern Colorado during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Montana guard Money Williams (0) lays the ball up late in the first half over a Northern Colorado defender during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Northern Colorado guard Langston Reynolds (6) lets fly a shot past the defense of Montana guard Joe Pridgen (11) during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Northern Colorado guard Jaron Rillie (9) works with the ball against the Montana defense during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Northern Colorado forward Brock Wisne (14) looks back to the basket while battling a Montana defender during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Northern Colorado guard Langston Reynolds (6) get past the defense of Montana guard Money Williams (0) during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Northern Colorado head coach Steve Smiley calls out a play to his team against Montana during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
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