MISSOULA, Mont. | The Warner Pacific University Men's Basketball faced another NCAA Division I opponent in the Montana Grizzlies for a two-game exhibition series beginning on Friday and ending on Saturday. The Knights fell in both contests, but with only one game under their belt, the team showed grit and promise throughout.

"No matter if we are out of state, playing games, or practicing in our own gym, our goal is to get at least 1% better every time we step onto the court" said head coach Jamayne Potts. "I feel we did that in Montana. I'm pleased with both of the games we played against University of Montana because we were able to improve from game one to game two. Right now it's all about culture building and progression" the first year head coach said.

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The Rundown
In game one of the series, the Knights got off to a slow start which the Griz capitalized on, keeping a double-digit lead for the last 30 minutes of play. Warner Pac struggled offensively in the contest, shooting just 30% from the field. Los Angeles native and January transfer Christian Hodge contributed 17 points on 6-12 from the field, grabbing six boards, leading the team in both categories. Hodge's fellow Los Angeleno, Isaac Etter, added 12 points off the bench. Two other Knights were in double figures; Miles Brown and Kadeem Strickland. The Knights fell in the contest 61-92.
 
Game two of the weekend was a much closer battle with the Knights at one point taking an eight-point lead over the Griz, holding onto it for nearly eight minutes. As the Griz clawed their way back, the Knights wouldn't go down without a fight; with the help of Isaac Etter's 16-point, 4-5 from the arc, first half effort the Knights headed into the break trailing by just four points.

Coming off the intermission, it seemed the Knights were running out of gas as the Griz went on a 7-0 run in the first five minutes of play and jumping out to a 12-point lead. One that the Knights were never quite able to close.

As the hot hand of Isaac Etter seemed to cool off in the second half, Drew Magaoay took Etter's place. The Junior out of Shoreline, Washington utilized some crafty moves to find his way to tin, scoring nine in the second half. He finished with 17 on the day. Leading both teams was Isaac Etter with 22 points and eight rebounds. Ultimately Warner Pacific fell to Montana in game two 62-80.


Deeper Look
Isaac Etter led all scorers on the weekend with 22 points, shooting 5-11 from beyond the arc.
In his first game as a Knight, Christian Hodge scored 17 points
"The LA Connection", Etter and Hodge, totaled to 29 of the team's 61 points in game one and 34 of the team's 62 in game two
 
 
Flash Forward
The Knights will face off against fellow CCC member Multnomah University on Tuesday, March 16^th at 6 P.M.