Nov. 26, 2004

Malibu, Calif. - Montana held off a second half comeback to win the opening game of the Four Points LAX Turkey Shootout Friday at Firestone Fieldhouse over East Carolina University, 71-63. Montana improves to 2-1 on the season, while ECU drops to 1-2.

Montana's Johanna Closson led all scorers with 21 points in 27 minutes. Katie Edwards and Julian Keller chipped in with 12 and 11, respectively.

The Lady Griz led by 11 at the half and stretched their lead to 16 points at 47-31 before the Pirates charged back. ECU's Soraya Hellaby led her team with 12 points, six coming in the second half. The Griz's lead was cut to three at 66-63, on a field goal by Hellaby before Closson hit four free thows in the final minutes to put the game away.

Montana will face the winner of this afternoon's Pepperdine / Fullerton game, while East Carolina will play the loser. Times for Saturday's games are yet To Be Determined.