Akoh, Rorie lead streaking Montana 109-79 past North Dakota

Jan 5, 2018, 04:50 am

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Jamar Akoh and Ahmaad Rorie scored 22 points each as Montana walloped defending Big Sky champion North Dakota 109-79 Thursday night. The Grizzlies have won five of their last six, the last two by 30.

Montana (10-5, 3-0) led 14-0, holding North Dakota, which has lost its last seven, scoreless for more than seven minutes until Tray Buchanan hit a 3-pointer.

After the Fighting Hawks fought back to within 10 points, Karl Nicholas had back-to-back dunks off two Griz steals in a 9-0 run that made the lead 19.

Rorie made four 3-pointers and Akoh scored 14 points after halftime and finished with 11 rebounds for the double-double. Nicholas added 17 points for the Griz, making all eight of his shots, adding three blocks and three steals. Michael Oguine scored 16. Montana finished the game shooting 62 percent (40 for 65), with 10 steals and 22 points scored off 13 North Dakota turnovers.

Buchanan led North Dakota (4-10, 0-3) with a career-high 16 points and Marlon Stewart scored 15.