Pridgett helps Montana hold off Eastern Washington 92-82

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Sayeed Pridgett finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals to propel the Montana Grizzlies to a 92-82 victory over Eastern Washington on Thursday night.

Pridgett hit 8 of 17 shots from the floor and made 7 of 8 free throws for the Grizzlies (13-10, 9-3 Big Sky Conference), who moved into first place in the conference by snapping the Eagles’ six-game winning streak. Kendal Manuel added 18 points and four assists. Timmy Falls pitched in with 11 points and four assists, while Mack Anderson contributed 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.

Jacob Davison topped Eastern Washington (15-7, 8-3) with 34 points on 13-of-22 shooting. Davison was 3 of 4 from 3-point range and added seven rebounds and four assists. Mason Peatling had 20 points, seven boards and five assists. Freshman Casson Rouse scored 11, accounting for all the points scored by the Eagles’ bench.

Montana shot 52% from the floor, including 60% from distance (9 of 15). The Grizzlies hit 21 of 25 free throws. Eastern Washington shot 54% overall and 42% from beyond the arc (8 of 19). The Eagles sank 20 of 28 foul shots.

The Eagles fell into second place with the loss, a half-game behind the Grizzlies. Montana beat EWU 90-63 on the road on Jan. 9.