Thursday, November 14th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Magness Arena (7,200) -- Denver, Colorado. Television: FSN-RM. Home Record: Montana 3-0, Denver 1-1. Away Record: Montana 0-0, Denver 0-0. Neutral Record: Montana 0-0, Denver 0-0. Conference Record: Houston Montana 0-0, Denver 0-0. Series Record: Denver leads, 16-14.

GAME NOTES: The Montana Grizzlies will try to remain in the win column when they hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Denver Pioneers in a non-conference tussle at the Magness Arena.

The Grizzlies began the season by hosting their own tournament. In the Grizzly Basketball Classic, Montana won all three matchups, including a 64-63 decision over Loyola Marymount in the most recent contest. After the Grizzlies face Denver, the team will remain on the road and against much tougher competition in Oregon and Washington.

As for the Pioneers, they opened their season with a 71-65 setback to Northern Iowa, but rebounded nicely with a 65-56 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Denver is coming off a season in which the team finished just 15-16, but 12 of those 15 victories came at home.

The Pioneers only have a slim, 16-14 edge over Montana in the all-time series. However, Denver is an impressive 12-2 when facing Montana at home.

The Grizzlies were impressive in their own tournament, winning all three games while averaging a solid 73.3 ppg. Montana comes into this matchup shooting 47.5 percent from the field, and an even more impressive 46.8 percent from behind the arc. Anthony Johnson has been sensational in the early going, averaging 22.3 ppg, while also leading the team with 14 assists. Raason Young is contributing 11.3 ppg, while Jack McGillis and Brian Qvale are posting 10.7 and 10.3 ppg, respectively. Qvale is also pacing the team with 5.3 rpg, while McGillis is right on his heels with 5.0 rpg. Montana was not outstanding in its recent win over LMU, but the team did just enough to squeak out a victory. Johnson was once again the leader on the floor for the Grizzlies, as the guard scored 22 points. Qvale added 16 points, while McGillis chipped in with eight.

The Pioneers put on an offensive clinic in their victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, as the team shot a sizzling 59.5 percent from the field, and that included an 11-of-21 clip from behind the arc. Denver also connected on 20- of-29 foul shots and was very careful with the ball, committing just seven turnovers. Brian Stafford led the way with 19 points in the win, while Andrew Hooper added 18 points off the bench. Nate Rohnert was also solid, netting 16 points, while dishing out a team-best nine assists. Although Denver has only played two games, Stafford and Rohnert look to be ready to lead this team, and come into this matchup averaging 19.5 and 15.5 ppg, respectively.

Denver has done well offensively, and the team does possess some veteran players in Stafford and Rohnert. However, the Grizzlies look to be too tough, especially in the paint, and the team should be able to use its frontcourt to grab a victory.

Predicted Outcome

Montana 77, Denver 73