MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and a standout individual performance, the Montana Lady Griz outlasted the Portland State Vikings 69-63 in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball clash on Thursday night at Dahlberg Arena.

The contest turned on a dominant first quarter by the home team and a resilient second-half response from the visitors, ultimately decided by Montana’s composure and efficiency at the free-throw line down the stretch. The Lady Griz improved to 7-13 overall, while Portland State fell to 5-15.

Montana seized control from the opening tip, racing to a 19-12 lead after the first quarter. The catalyst was Avery Waddington, the 6-foot-3 junior from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, who established her presence early and often. She scored eight points in the opening period, setting the tone for a career night. The Lady Griz’s defense was equally stifling, holding Portland State to just 4-of-17 shooting in the quarter.

The game’s most pivotal shift occurred in the second quarter, where Montana’s offense went ice cold. The Lady Griz managed only four points in the period, missing all eight of their field goal attempts, including five from three-point range. Portland State capitalized, though not as fully as they might have hoped, outscoring Montana 13-4 to take a 25-23 lead into halftime. The Vikings’ defense forced five turnovers in the quarter, but their own offensive struggles from the perimeter, a theme all night, kept the game within reach for Montana.

Emerging from the break, the third quarter became a high-scoring affair that saw Portland State build its largest lead. The Vikings erupted for 25 points in the period, fueled by the interior play of Kyleigh Brown and Cici Ellington. A layup by Brown gave Portland State a 46-38 advantage with 1:49 left in the quarter, capping a 21-15 run to start the half.

However, Montana answered with a critical 8-0 run to close the third, bridging into the fourth quarter. Waddington was instrumental, scoring six points during the surge, including a layup that tied the game at 46-46 just before the period ended. This sequence completely erased Portland State’s hard-earned momentum and set the stage for a tense final frame.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle featuring seven lead changes. Neither team led by more than four points until the final seconds. With the score tied at 61-61 and under two minutes to play, Montana’s execution at the foul line proved decisive. The Lady Griz went 8-for-8 from the stripe in the final 1:48, with Waddington and Draya Wacker each hitting four crucial free throws. Portland State, meanwhile, managed only a single field goal in the last three minutes, a layup from Ajae Yoakum.

Waddington finished with a game-high 31 points, adding one assist and one block in 32 minutes. Her performance was a stark contrast to her recent outings, signaling a return to dominant scoring form. Rae Ehrman provided vital support for Montana with 13 points.

For Portland State, Kyleigh Brown led the way with 20 points, while Cici Ellington added 12 points and two assists. Hannah Chicken contributed eight points, four assists and three blocks in a strong all-around effort.

Statistically, the game was a paradox of interior dominance and perimeter futility. Both teams scored 42 points in the paint, but combined to shoot a dismal 5-for-43 from three-point range. Montana’s advantage came at the free-throw line, where they made 17 of 19 attempts compared to Portland State’s 10 of 11. The Lady Griz also won the possession battle, committing only eight turnovers to Portland State’s 15, and held a slight edge in offensive rebounds, 10-7.

The victory gives Montana a modest two-game winning streak in conference play. Portland State, despite the loss, showed fight in erasing a large early deficit and will look to build on that resilience as they continue their road trip.

Based on the sequence of plays, the most important part of the game was Montana’s 8-0 run to close the third quarter, which erased Portland State’s eight-point lead and completely reset the game heading into the final period. This surge, fueled primarily by Avery Waddington, prevented the Vikings from carrying significant momentum into the fourth and allowed the Lady Griz to compete in a tight, possession-by-possession finish that favored their late-game execution.

Montana hosts Sacramento State on Saturday. Portland State travels to face Montana State on Saturday.