MISSOULA, Mont. — In an impressive season opener, the Montana Grizzlies secured a commanding victory over Hawaii-Hilo with a score of 92-61, largely thanks to Kai Johnson’s outstanding performance, where he netted 27 points.

Johnson not only shined offensively but also contributed defensively with three steals for the Grizzlies. His teammate, Joe Pridgen, made a significant impact as well, scoring 14 points on an efficient shooting night, converting 6 of 7 attempts from the field and 1 of 5 from the charity stripe. Pridgen complemented his offensive output with eight rebounds and three blocks. Austin Patterson also had a solid performance, finishing the game with 12 points and shooting 5 for 9, including a 1 of 5 mark from three-point range.

On the opposing side, Jessiya Villa led the Vulcans with 11 points, while Nadjrick Peat contributed nine points to the team’s total.

The game set a strong tone for the Grizzlies as they kicked off their season with a dominating performance on both ends of the court.