Sunday’s Regional Briefs

Lady Griz bounce back to beat Drexel

BETHLEHAM, Pa. – Kayleigh Valley matched a career high with 29 points, and the Montana women’s basketball team led from start to finish Sunday in a 58-50 victory over Drexel in the consolation game of the Christmas City Classic in Bethlehem, Pa.

The Lady Griz led 27-19 at the half and built a 19-point advantage in the fourth quarter before a late surge by the Dragons (2-3), who lost 67-55 to Villanova on Saturday, cut the final margin to a misleading eight points.

The victory came one day after an 80-53 loss to tournament host Lehigh.

Valley, who played all 40 minutes, shot 50 percent from the floor, knocked down both of her 3-point attempts and went 11 for 13 from the free throw line to match the 29 points she scored last Sunday against Portland.

McCalle Feller added 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and Alycia Sims finished with six points, nine rebounds and a team- and career-high five assists.

Montana (4-2) will host Cal State Fullerton (2-5) next Sunday at 1 p.m. at Dahlberg Arena.

Pepperdine holds off charging Grizzlies

MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine, leading by eight at halftime, held off a hard charge by Montana in the second half to beat the Grizzlies 69-63 in a nonleague matchup Sunday at the Firestone Fieldhouse.

The Grizzlies (2-3) outscored the Waves (3-4) 34-32 in the second half, as Martin Bruenig leading the way with a double-double. The 6-8 redshirt senior from Germany led all scorers with 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.

Walter Wright added 12 markers and had seven boards for Montana, who shot 52 percent from the floor in the second half and 48 percent for the game, but were only 1-of-16 from 3-point range.

Lamond Murray, Jr., led the Waves with 18 points. Stacy Davis added 16 and Jett Raines tossed in 10.

The Grizzlies outrebounded Pepperdine 34-29, but committed four more turnovers.

Montana will face San Francisco Friday night at 7 in Missoula.