Box Score MISSOULA, Mont. – Christian Jurlina scored 20 points and Kyle Roach added 19, but it was not enough to help visiting Whitworth University overcome the University of Montana in an exhibition men's basketball game on Wednesday night at Dahlberg Arena as the Grizzlies held on for a 90-80 win.
The Pirates played Montana in an exhibition game for the third straight year and this season's outcome was the closest of the three.
The Grizzlies got 27 points from Ahmaad Rorie, a transfer from the University of Oregon. Walter Wright added 22 points for the hosts.
The game was tied 38-38 at the half as Whitworth rebounded from an early 13-5 deficit. Roach and Kenny Love each had ten points in the first half for the Bucs, who shot 53.6% from the field in the opening period.
Jurlina's three-pointer early in the second half gave Whitworth a 45-43 lead. But Montana answered with a 10-2 run and took a lead it would never relinquish. Rorie scored half of those 10 points.
The Grizzlies did not stretch the lead to double digits until the final four minutes of the game, and never led by more than 12 points.
Love added 17 points for Whitworth. The Pirates improved their shooting in the second half and finished 54.9% from the field. But they were outrebounded 31-21 by Montana.
Whitworth will officially open the season on November 19th when the Pirates host St. Olaf College (Minn.).
