Montana Edges Long Beach State

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Montana nearly squandered a 7-point lead in the game's final five minutes, but held on to beat Long Beach State 73-71 Saturday night.

Montana (4-2) led 64-57 late in the second half before Long Beach State used an 11-2 run, punctuated by 7 for 8 free throw shooting, over the next three minutes to take the lead, 68-66, with 1:23 remaining. After Derek Selvig split a pair of free throws and Long Beach State failed to recover a missed shot, Montana's Will Cherry nailed a jumper on the other end with 38 seconds remaining to put the Grizzlies up permanently, 69-68.

Long Beach State (3-2) led 38-32 at halftime and was led in scoring by T.J. Robinson, who scored a game-high 25 points and added 10 rebounds for the double-double in the losing effort.

Selvig scored 14 points and Cherry added 13 for the Grizzlies.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.