Montana Success at Line Deals USIU 2-Point Loss

The heartburn Coach Gary Zarecky suffered on a recently concluded 10-game trip was nothing compared to the heartache he endured Wednesday night.

Zarecky’s U.S. International University men’s basketball team wasted several opportunities in the closing minutes in an 82-80 loss to Montana at home in Golden Hall.

USIU finished its longest trip of the season 2-8, losing by an average of more than 20 points and allowing its opponents 94 points a game.

Wednesday night, however, the Gulls were home for the first time in a month, but the only difference turned out to be the number of points by which they were beaten.

On the road, USIU’s frustration showed in a 35% shooting average from the floor. Against Montana, the Gulls made 58% of their shots but found another way to keep from winning.

With the score 78-78 with 1:56 remaining, USIU (4-9) took a timeout to plan its offensive attack. The last words out of the huddle were: “ . . . and don’t turn the ball over.”

Eight seconds later, Gary Williams was stripped of the ball by John Reckard. Montana, however, couldn’t convert the turnover into points. Williams then leaned into a crowd of Montana players, making a short bank shot that was disallowed when he was called for charging with 1:10 left.

Montana (8-4) allowed the Gulls another chance after a pass rolled out of bounds. Demetrius Laffitte, however, missed a 6-foot jumper with 58 seconds left and Montana called a timeout.

Nineteen seconds later, K.C. McGowan drove for a leaning 10-footer just inside the free throw line to give Montana an 80-78 lead.

Guard Steve Smith followed with a drive down the court, taking approximately the same shot McGowan did, but he missed.

Zarecky’s arms went up in the air looking for a foul call. McGowan’s went into the air looking for the ball. McGowan was fouled on the rebound and he hit both ends of a 1-and-1 with 6 seconds remaining and Montana led, 82-78. Smith then drove the distance for an uncontested layup as time ran out.

Montana made 28 of 38 free throws and the Gulls were 17 of 23. But did the Gulls play well enough to win?

“No,” Zarecky said. “I think we came out flat. I think for three quarters of the game we didn’t have any intensity. We’re continuing to struggle shooting the ball. It’s a compliment to the kids to stay in there. Either the kids did something right or Montana did a lot wrong.”

Montana took an 11-2 lead, but USIU rallied and led, 43-37, at the half behind the shooting of Paul Wilson, who scored 12 of USIU’s 14 points midway through the half.

Montana rallied to build a 7-point lead, 66-59, with 8:25 remaining. USIU again took the lead, 78-75, on a pair of free throws and an inside basket by Matt Judd with 2:18 left.

Williams scored 32 points and Laffitte added 20 points and 17 rebounds for USIU. Wayne Tinkle led Montana with 15 points and 13 rebounds.