. . . Northern Arizona’s interior defense held its own against Montana’s Martin Breunig, the Grizzlies put up a school-record 18 3-pointers in the 90-84 double overtime victory Thursday at the Walkup Skydome. Breunig put up just 11 points in regulation, but dropped in a key basket with three seconds remaining in the first overtime period to tie the score at 77. The Grizzlies dominated the early going of the second overtime, riding a 9-0 run to the win, their first of the year on the road.
“We showed we can compete with anyone in the conference,” said senior Kris Yanku. “A lot of the younger guys gained a lot confidence; we have just got to continue getting better and work on finishing games. This was just like Hampton, so we have to finish.” It was Yanku who sent the game to overtime with a 3-pointer, draining the shot from the top of the arc with seven seconds left, tying the score at 68. The junior had struggled from outside, airballing a few 3-pointers early on, before connecting on a pair down the stretch.
Yanku’s shot capped a furious comeback by the Lumberjacks, who trailed 64-53 with 4:29 left after Brandon Gfeller took over the game. With Northern Arizona up 49-44 and 9:37 remaining, Gfeller led Montana on a 17-2 run as the junior connected for 3-pointers on five straight possessions. “Going into the game, we knew that we couldn’t let Gfeller, (Michael) Oguine and (Walter) White really hurt us and that’s ultimately who won the game for them,” said Lumberjacks head coach Jack Murphy. “You have got to give Montana a lot of credit and those players individually.” Northern Arizona’s upperclassmen combined to rally the Lumberjacks. After Ako Kaluna hit a layup, Yanku made his first 3-pointer of the game, on his way to a team-high 23 points. The duo traded baskets to cut the deficit to 64-62 before a pair of free throws sent the Grizzlies ahead by four. With Montana lighting up the 3-point line thanks to Gfeller’s 8-of-13 day, scoring 24 points, and Oguine adding 4 of 7 to total 16, Northern Arizona found their counter in freshman Marcus DeBerry.
