Oluyitan, Butler Lead SUU To Big Road Win Over Montana In OT

MISSOULA , Mon. – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds needed overtime but was able to get past Montana 85-80 in the regular season finale.

Cameron Oluyitan and Harrison Butler scored 17 points apiece to lead the Thunderbirds. Butler had 10 rebounds to go with his 17 points.

It was the first time in 20 years that Southern Utah won a game at Montana.

With 46 seconds remaining in the second half, Montana’s Sayeed Pridgett knocked down two free throws to give the Grizzlies a two-point lead. Butler drilled a three-pointer with 37 seconds left to put Southern Utah up by one point.

20 years is a long time…#LetEmKnow⚡️ pic.twitter.com/J7yA2xkSaf

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) March 8, 2020

Pridgett made one of two free throws to tie the game with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. Southern Utah had two opportunities to win the game but missed and the game went to overtime.

Eight of Southern Utah’s 14 points in overtime came at the free throw line.

John Knight III added 14 points while Andre Adams notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Southern Utah shot 42 percent from the field, knocked down 5 of their 15 three-point attempts and converted on 32 of their 43 free throws.

Pridgett led the Grizzlies with 27 points and 8 assists. Kendal Manuel chipped in 19 points along with 12 points from Jared Samuelson.

🏀 TIME TO BALL! 🏀

The four-day, 10-game #BigSkyMBB Championship tips off Wednesday!

Visit https://t.co/vWQKeh2ni7 for more information on next week's championship! #BigSkyInBoise pic.twitter.com/vs3QKcFbkw

— Big Sky MBB (@BigSkyMBB) March 8, 2020

The Thunderbirds ended their regular season with a 16-15 overall record and 9-11 in Big Sky play. They are the No. 7 seed in the Conference Tournament. Their first round matchup will be against Idaho on Wednesday, March 11. The game will tip-off 30 minutes after Weber State’s game against Sacramento State which is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Boise, Idaho.