The Montana Grizzlies tightened their grip on the Big Sky Conference with a hard-fought 65-58 victory over Weber State Saturday night, fueled by Malik Moore's season-defining performance. Shooting 61.5% from the field, Montana (19-8, 12-2) demonstrated why they've become the team to beat in NCAA Division I mid-major basketball.
Moore delivered a masterclass from beyond the arc, sinking six three-pointers in his 22-point showcase. When Malik gets that look in his eyes, we know it's showtime, teammate Te'Jon Sawyer told reporters after contributing 17 points on 77.8% shooting efficiency. Sawyer's relentless drives to the basket complemented Montana's perimeter dominance, creating matchup nightmares for Weber State's defense.
The Wildcats (9-18, 3-10) showed flashes of brilliance behind Blaise Threatt's game-high 24 points. Key contributors included:
- Trevor Henning: 11 points, 3 rebounds
- Viljami Vartiainen: 11 points, 2 steals
Montana's three-point barrage in the second half broke our defensive rhythm, Weber State head coach admitted during the post-game presser.
With this Big Sky Conference victory, Montana extends multiple critical streaks:
- 8-game winning streak (longest active in conference)
- 12-2 conference record (best since 2018-19 season)
- 5 consecutive home wins against Weber State
Analysts highlight three factors shaping Montana's playoff trajectory:
- 42.3% team three-point shooting (conference best)
- +6.8 rebounding margin during win streak
- 74.1% free throw accuracy in clutch situations
The Grizzlies face their biggest test Saturday against archrival Montana State, while Weber State looks to rebound against Sacramento State on Thursday. With six conference matchups remaining, Montana controls its destiny for the top seed in the Big Sky Tournament.