MISSOULA, Mont. — Malik Moore played a pivotal role in the Montana Grizzlies’ 81-76 triumph over Northern Arizona, scoring 20 points during the game on Thursday night.

In addition to his scoring, Moore also provided five assists, contributing significantly to the Grizzlies’ overall performance. The team improved to a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, maintaining an undefeated streak in the Big Sky Conference at 3-0. Brandon Whitney supported the team by netting 16 points, showcasing an accurate shooting performance by hitting 5 of 7 attempts from the field and perfectly converting all four of his free throw attempts. Kai Johnson added to the scoring with 12 points, recording a shooting percentage of 5 of 8 from the floor and making one out of three attempts from beyond the arc.

On the opposing side, Jayden Jackson led the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks with a strong performance, finishing with 22 points and seven assists. The Lumberjacks now sit at 10 wins and 6 losses, alongside a record of 1-2 in conference play. Trenton McLaughlin also made a notable contribution to the game, scoring 19 points along with four assists and two steals, while Monty Bowser wrapped up the scoring with 11 points.

The game showcased not only the competitive nature of college basketball in the Big Sky Conference but also highlighted individual performances that could have implications for the rest of the season as teams look to improve their standings.