Davidson (6-1) at Montana (3-4)
GAME NOTES: Looking to build on a four-game win streak, the Davidson Wildcats will hit the road to take on the Montana Grizzlies in a non-conference bout at Dahlberg Arena on Wednesday.
Davidson brings a 6-1 record to Missoula, with four of them coming in the team's last four games. The Wildcats easily knocked off Stetson, 90-59, in their last outing, and have only lost to then-No. 6 North Carolina so far.
Montana has spent plenty of time away from home this season, and has accumulated a 1-4 road mark. But the 3-4 Grizzlies returned home Sunday to face North Dakota State, which they defeated, 69-57. Four of the team's next five games are at Dahlberg Arena.
These two programs have only met once before. Davidson took the lone matchup back in the 2012-13 season, 93-87, in overtime.
It was a wild first half for Davidson against Stetson in the team's last outing. The Wildcats connected on 51.4 percent of their shots in the frame and held the Hatters to just 25 percent shooting to take a 48-24 lead into the locker room. After that commanding lead was developed, the Wildcats needed only to coast to victory. Tyler Kalinoski scored a team-high 25 points in the win, adding nine rebounds to his resume. Oskar Michelsen chipped in with 16 points, and Brian Sullivan added 14 with eight assists. Nathan Ekwu pulled down a Davidson-high 10 rebounds in the win.
Kalinoski leads a trio of players in double-digit scoring averages this season. The senior guard is averaging 16.7 ppg on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor, which includes an impressive 51.9 percent touch from 3-point range. Jack Gibbs adds in 14.0 ppg, and Peyton Aldridge contributes 11.3 ppg this season with a team-best 5.7 rpg mark. The Wildcats as a whole are averaging an eye-popping 87.0 ppg, while holding their opponents to 67.1 ppg on 42.3 percent shooting. They also bring down 43.6 rpg as a unit. Jake Belford is questionable to play in the contest with a bruised foot.
Montana displayed what sort of damage it can do against North Dakota State when the Grizzlies play on their home court. The Bison had a winning record entering the contest against Montana, but fell behind at the end of the first half, 35-31, and wasn't able to make up the difference in the second period. Jordan Gregory netted 20 points to pace the Griz, while Martin Breunig chipped in with 18 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Gfeller came off the bench to score 10 points for a team that shot 47.1 percent from the floor in the game.
So far, Breunig and Gregory are the only two Montana players to average a point total in double figures, but the Grizzlies as a whole are still managing to score 68.0 ppg on 42.5 percent shooting. Breunig leads the team at 15.7 ppg, followed by Gregory's 13.7 ppg mark. Breunig is also the team's leading rebounder, coming in at 6.9 boards per outing. Defensively the Grizzlies have struggled a bit, allowing opponents to net 68.6 ppg this season. Mike Weisner is questionable to play for Montana after suffering a sprained ankle.
Montana should be fired up after the big win over North Dakota State potentially got its season back on track. But with an offensively sound Davidson squad coming to town, the Grizzlies will have to turn up the heat. Davidson should be able to pick up its second road win as long as the shots keep falling.
FACTS & STATS: Site: Dahlberg Arena (7,500) -- Missoula, Montana. Television: None. Home Record: Davidson 5-0, Montana 2-0. Away Record: Davidson 1-0, Montana 1-4. Neutral Record: Davidson 0-1, Montana 0-0. Conference Record: Davidson 2-0, Montana 0-0. Series Record: Davidson leads, 1-0.
Wednesday, December 10, 9 p.m. (ET)
Davidson 81, Montana 68