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

A dominant second-half performance from Montana guard Money Williams proved to be the difference. The Oakland, California, native scored 31 points, including 19 after halftime, and dished out six assists to lead the Grizzlies. His backcourt mate, Tyler Isaak, added 19 points and seven rebounds, providing a steadying force for the home team.

The game was a tale of two halves. Montana controlled the opening period, building a 37 to 26 lead by the break. The Grizzlies capitalized on Cal Poly’s early struggles, forcing eight first-half turnovers and converting them into easy scoring opportunities.

Cal Poly emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, mounting a furious comeback in the second half. The Mustangs exploded for 56 points, nearly doubling their first-half output, and consistently chipped away at the deficit. Peter Bandelj led the charge for Cal Poly, scoring 21 points, while Cayden Ward added 15 and Jake Davis contributed 14.

Despite the Mustangs’ offensive surge, Montana answered every run. The Grizzlies matched Cal Poly’s second-half intensity, scoring 53 points of their own to secure the victory. A key factor was Montana’s efficiency at the free-throw line, where they made 23 of 29 attempts compared to Cal Poly’s 15 of 21.

While Cal Poly won the battle in the paint, 46 to 40, and shot a slightly higher percentage from the field, Montana’s ability to create transition opportunities was crucial. The Grizzlies outscored the Mustangs 16 to 3 on fastbreak points.

Defensively, Montana registered five blocks, with Williams and Connor Dick each recording one. Cal Poly’s Ali Assran was a force on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds in just 17 minutes of play.

The loss drops Cal Poly to 2-3 on the young season. The Mustangs will look to rebound on the road at Utah on Thursday. Montana improves to 4-1 and will travel to face Texas A&M on Tuesday. An announced crowd of 2,827 watched the game.