Basketball in the Big Sky is never predictable. Honestly, if you follow the Griz, you know that the trip to Reese Court in Cheney is always a trap. It happened again.
Montana Grizzlies Score Today: The Heartbreak at Eastern Washington
The Montana Grizzlies score today is a tough pill to swallow for fans who watched them climb to the top of the conference standings early this January. Montana fell to Eastern Washington 66-65 in a game that felt like it was in the bag until the final four minutes.
It was a literal collapse. The Griz led by eight points with 3:56 left on the clock. Then, they just stopped scoring. For eight straight possessions, the bucket had a lid on it. Meanwhile, Eastern Washington went on a 9-0 run to close the game.
Alton Hamilton IV was the hero for the Eagles, or the villain for Missoula, depending on who you ask. He got fouled while grabbing an offensive rebound and stepped to the line with 4.7 seconds left. He sank both.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Montana had 0.5 seconds to try a miracle. They inbounded the ball, but Hamilton tipped it, and that was that. Game over.
Why the Griz Couldn't Close
If you look at the stats, it’s kinda obvious where things went sideways. The Grizzlies shot a miserable 14.3% from the three-point line. You can't win on the road in 2026 by going 2-for-14 from deep. It just doesn't work.
Money Williams tried to carry the load. He finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. He’s been the engine for Travis DeCuire’s squad all season, but even he couldn't find the bottom of the net when the Eagles' defense tightened up in the closing minutes. Brooklyn Hicks added 15, and Kenyon Aguino chipped in 11, but the lack of perimeter threat allowed Eastern to pack the paint.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
The Eagles, on the other hand, found their rhythm at the right time. Isaiah Moses put up 20 points, and Emmett Marquardt was a perfect 3-for-3 from three. That’s the difference. One team hit their shots when they mattered; the other went cold.
The Bigger Picture in the Big Sky
This loss drops Montana to 9-8 overall and 3-1 in Big Sky play. It was their first conference loss of the year, which honestly feels like a missed opportunity given how much they dominated the first 36 minutes.
The standings are getting crowded. With Montana State also looking strong—despite their recent nail-biter loss to Idaho—the "Brawl of the Wild" on January 17 is looking more massive than ever.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
What’s Next for the Grizzlies?
The Griz don't have much time to lick their wounds. They have to head over the hill to Bozeman this Saturday.
- Next Game: Montana vs. Montana State
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM MT
- Location: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
- TV/Stream: Scripps Sports / ESPN+
If they want to bounce back, they’ve got to find their outside shot. You aren't going to beat the Bobcats in their house by shooting 14% from three. Expect DeCuire to have them shooting a thousand jumpers this week in practice.
The defense also needs to figure out how to finish. Letting a 3-13 team (which is what EWU was coming into this) go on a 9-0 run to end the game is a lapse in focus. It's the kind of thing that separates a middle-of-the-pack team from a championship contender.
For those tracking the Montana Grizzlies score today, the final was 66-65. It wasn't the result the Griz faithful wanted, but it’s a long season.
To get ready for the weekend, fans should keep an eye on the injury report for Te'Jon Sawyer, who had some big moments but needs to stay consistent. Also, watch the betting lines; the Bobcats will likely open as favorites at home, but the Griz have a habit of playing up to their competition in rivalry games.