Naren’s Sixteen Lifts Argonauts over Orediggers

Naren Maynard

http://www.ugfargos.com/article/341.php

ZIZ News…Feb. 4, 2013 — The University of Great Falls Men’s Basketball Team pulled into a tie atop the Frontier Conference standing with a hard fought 62-58 win over Montana Tech.

“We came out a little bit flat,” Head Coach Steve Silsby said. “At about 8 to 10 minutes in, we were down 9 and got it going, hit a few baskets, made a few shots.”

The Argos battled from an early five point deficit as they were shut out over the first 3:36. Marcel Towns hit two from the free throw line to post the first Argo points. A few second later, the Argos rallied–while holding Tech scoreless, to tie the game at five with 15:52 on the clock. A few more ticks off the clock, and Great Falls was trailing 18-9.

The Argonauts began to whittle at the Tech lead, and would tie the score–a second time at 20, with 6:29 left on the first period clock. The two teams battled and tied the game a third time, at 26 with 1:33 left till the half. James Holmes would hit a 13-foot jumper to put the Argos up by two. Travis Peevey missed a long Hail-Mary to give Great Falls a 28-26 advantage at the intermission.

“I give all the credit to the guys. They kept hanging in there–they never quit,” said Silsby.

The first half shooting was 27 percent (10 for 37), while they shot 85.7 percent (6 for 7) from the foul line, for the Argos. The Diggers shot 37 percent from the floor (10 of 27), and 50 percent (3 for 6), from the charity stripe. The Argos aggressively patrolled the glass pulling down 12 offensive and 13 defensive boards. The Diggers pulled down 18 rebounds with only three offensive boards.

“A great job defensively, I’m really proud of the guys,” Silsby added.

Adam Greger drained fifteen points in the first session and James Holmes tallied eight for the Argos. Holmes edged Greger by one in rebound. Greger came out in the second half and tied the game with the first bucket of the period.

“We got a 10-point lead late–Tech hits three 3’s–we got a big offensive rebound late,” Silsby continued. “They fouled James (Holmes). James steps up to the line and does what a senior should do, hit both free throws.”

The Argos would battle back to a ten point lead, 57-47; with 3:51 remaining in the contest, yet the diggers returned serve by going on an 11-0 run; hitting three treys and a two point bucket to take a one point lead, 58-57.

“It was a 2 point game, he (James Holmes) makes them both– making it a two possession game,” Silsby recapped. “From there, we are all right.”

Miguel Bocachica hit a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining, the Argos were back on top. Senior James Holmes drove the lane and was fouled by Bryan Bock putting Holmes on the line. The Las Vegas, Nev., native hit both ends of a one-and-one to make it a two possession game. Bock took a desperation three-pointer that did not hit the mark and the Argos recorded their second consecutive Frontier Conference victory.

Montana Tech committed one more turnover than the Argos, 11-10. They would also out shoot the Argos from the floor, shooting 41 percent to the Argos 36 percent. The Argos would also fall short in long distant connections 26 to 32 percent. The Argonauts were much more effective from the free throw line shooting 80 percent to the Diggers 33 percent.

“Montana Tech is tough match up for us. Adam Greger is a heckofa player,” Silsby added.

Greger had a game high 21 points while only one other Digger posted two-column scoring as Bryan Bock threw down 16. The Argos were led by Naren Maynard who knocked down 16 points, James Holmes had 14, and Miguel Bocachica drained 11. The contest provided seven lead changes and five ties.

“We’ll just keep battling and see what happens,” Silsby said. “We have a huge game on Thursday against Northern. I hope people come out, cheer for the Argos and pack the gym. It should be a great game. It’s for first place in the conference, or at least a tie for first.”

The win puts the Argos in a three-way tie with MSU-Northern and Lewis-Clark State at 5-2; setting up a huge interstate showdown–on Thursday Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m.–as the Argos host the Lights of Montana State University-Northern.

“It was just a great team win,” Silsby concluded. “The guys just gutted it out and showed we can win close games. We did what you need to do in conference, protect the home court.”