DENVER – In a thrilling display of skill and energy, Wisconsin’s backup forward Carter Gilmore made a significant impact in their first-round victory over Montana Grizzlies in the NCAA tournament, ending with an 85-66 scoreline. Gilmore, showcasing a crucial moment of athleticism and strategy, nailed a crucial three-pointer and gestured for Montana fans to quiet down, intensifying the competitive atmosphere.
On the return to defense, Gilmore played with a fierce resolve, taking a charge and then altering the shot of another Montana player. His impressive performance marked a pivotal point in the game on Thursday, signaling the Badgers’ comfortable departure from their first March Madness outing in three years. According to John Blackwell, a teammate who notched up 19 points, Gilmore is integral to the team’s dynamics, regardless of how many points he scores, and is known for his energetic contributions.
The team, coached by Greg Gard, hopes to build on this victory and aim for a spot in the Sweet 16, their first potential appearance in eight years. This opportunity will come if they can overcome either VCU or BYU in the East Region.
Gilmore’s standout moments came in response to the Grizzlies’ shrinking lead, cut to a mere four points. After a smart steal and easy layup by Montana’s Money Williams, Gilmore retaliated quickly with a three-pointer and confidently demonstrated his control by gesturing to the vocal Montana supporters. He then further stunted Montana’s progress by drawing a charge and deflecting Te’Jon Sawyer’s shot, contributing to an 8-0 run that extended the Badgers’ lead considerably.
Montana’s team leaders, Sawyer and Kai Johnson, each scored 15 points, but the Grizzlies couldn’t sustain their momentum against Wisconsin’s tenacity. Steven Crowl led the charge for Wisconsin with 18 points, and was joined by other double-digit scorers including John Tonje, Xavier Amos, and Nolan Winter. Tonje, a seasoned player with experience from Colorado State, excelled by making all nine of his free throws and emphasized the advantage of having a deep, talented roster.
The Grizzlies entered the tournament boasting a 50.2% shooting rate, ranking them second nationally, but struggled during the match, achieving only 39% accuracy. Williams, typically a strong scorer for Montana, found himself contained under Blackwell’s watchful defense, ending with just eight points. In contrast, Wisconsin displayed potent offensive strength, shooting a high 55% from the field.
The arena buzzed with anticipation during the final moments, partly linked to the betting spread of 16 1/2 points. Despite some last-moment attempts by Adam Shoff and Jeremiah Dargan for three-pointers, neither could connect, allowing Wisconsin to cover the spread and secure their impressive victory.