MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — In a high-octane offensive showcase, the Montana Grizzlies outlasted the Cal Poly Mustangs 90 to 82 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night before a crowd of 2,827 at Dahlberg Arena.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Montana building a commanding lead before halftime and Cal Poly mounting a furious, but ultimately insufficient, second-half comeback.

Montana improved its season record to 4-1, while Cal Poly fell to 2-3.

The first half was dominated by the home team, as the Grizzlies raced out to an early advantage. Montana’s offense was efficient and opportunistic, capitalizing on Cal Poly turnovers to fuel a potent fastbreak attack. The Grizzlies outscored the Mustangs 16 to 3 on fastbreak points in the game, a key factor in establishing their initial control.

Montana took a 37 to 26 lead into the locker room at halftime, a deficit that seemed to energize the visiting Mustangs.

Emerging from the break, Cal Poly displayed a completely different level of offensive execution. The Mustangs nearly doubled their first-half output, exploding for 56 points in the second period. A more aggressive approach led to consistent penetration and higher-percentage shots, allowing them to steadily chip away at the Grizzly lead.

The Mustangs’ surge was led by a determined effort to attack the interior, where they finished the game with a 46 to 40 advantage in points in the paint. For stretches of the second half, the Montana defense that looked so stout before halftime appeared vulnerable.

However, every time Cal Poly made a significant run to close the gap, Montana had an answer, usually in the form of guard Money Williams. The Oakland, California, native delivered a spectacular performance, pouring in a game-high 31 points to go along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds in just 29 minutes of action. His ability to create his own shot and get to the free-throw line, where he was a perfect 8-for-8, consistently stifled Cal Poly’s momentum.

Williams was ably supported by teammate Tyler Isaak, who logged 37 minutes and contributed 19 points and 7 rebounds. The backcourt duo’s combined 50 points provided the steady scoring punch Montana needed to withstand the Cal Poly onslaught.

For the Mustangs, the second-half rally was a collective effort. Peter Bandelj of Ljubljana, Slovenia, led the team with 21 points, showcasing a versatile offensive game. Cayden Ward from Stockton, California, added 15 points and 6 rebounds, while Jake Davis of Walnut Creek, California, chipped in 14 points and 6 boards.

A significant factor in Cal Poly’s ability to stay within striking distance was their work on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. Ali Assran, a 6-foot-9 forward from Cairo, Egypt, hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds, providing crucial second-chance opportunities for the Mustangs.

Despite Cal Poly’s valiant effort, Montana’s early work proved insurmountable. The Grizzlies’ first-half cushion provided just enough of a buffer, and their clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory. Montana shot an efficient percentage from the charity stripe, a critical component in a game decided by single digits.

The contest was a back-and-forth battle after halftime, but Cal Poly could never quite draw even. The Mustangs trimmed the deficit to a single possession on multiple occasions, but a timely three-pointer from Williams or a driving layup from Isaak always pushed the lead back to a more comfortable margin for the Grizzlies.

Cal Poly will look to rebound on the road against Utah on Thursday, November 20. Montana, meanwhile, continues a challenging stretch of its schedule with a road game at Texas A&M on Tuesday, November 18.