Late EWU free throw sinks Griz

CHENEY (AP) — Glen Dean had 23 points and seven assists, and sank a foul shot with 2.5 seconds left that carried Eastern Washington to a 69-68 victory over Montana on Sunday.

Jeffrey Forbes added 18 points and Mark Dunn 13 for the Eagles (8-18, 4-8 Big Sky), winners of consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 21. Anthony Johnson scored 28 points for the Grizzlies (18-8, 9-5), who had won five straight.

After Montana’s Michael Taylor tied the game at 68-all with a corner 3-pointer with 24.8 seconds left, Dean was fouled on a drive to the basket. The freshman hit the first shot, missed the second intentionally and Montana — without a timeout — was forced into a desperation shot attempt by Will Cherry from halfcourt.

Behind 59-percent shooting, Eastern Washington opened a 36-28 halftime lead. EWU plays at Northern Colorado on Thursday.

MONTANA (18-8)

Banny 2-4 1-2 5, Qvale 3-8 2-5 8, Staudacher 0-4 0-0 0, Cherry 2-6 1-2 5, Johnson 11-16 2-2 28, Young 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor 4-5 0-0 11, Stockton 0-2 0-0 0, Selvig 2-7 2-2 7, Ward 1-1 2-2 4, McGillis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 10-15 68.

E. WASHINGTON (8-18)

Dunn 5-9 1-4 13, Moore 0-5 2-2 2, Dean 7-9 5-8 23, Forbes 6-13 1-2 18, Winford 2-6 0-0 5, Valentine 0-1 0-0 0, Griffin 3-3 2-3 8, Brunell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-46 11-19 69.

Halftime—E. Washington 36-28. 3-Point Goals—Montana 8-20 (Johnson 4-7, Taylor 3-3, Selvig 1-4, McGillis 0-1, Cherry 0-1, Staudacher 0-4), E. Washington 12-19 (Forbes 5-7, Dean 4-5, Dunn 2-4, Winford 1-3). Fouled Out—Johnson. Rebounds—Montana 32 (Qvale, Selvig 7), E. Washington 28 (Griffin, Moore 6). Assists—Montana 7 (Cherry, Johnson, Selvig 2), E. Washington 9 (Dean 7). Total Fouls—Montana 21, E. Washington 18. A—2,147.