From ESPN blogger Eammon Brennan:
In the welcome to the tournament, folks dept. (two games yesterday): Anthony Johnson, prepare for your close-up. The Montana guard scored -- get this -- a career and Big Sky tournament record 42 points, 34 of which came in the second half, 21 of which were the last 21 points Montana scored in the game. All to erase a 22-point deficit to Weber State in the Big Sky tournament final and get the Grizzlies to the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years. That performance was the stuff of college basketball legends; go watch the replay if you don't believe me.
From ESPN blogger Diamond Leung:
Montana guard Anthony Johnson had the game of his life, scoring 42 points in the Big Sky title game to upset Weber State 66-65 and send the Grizzlies to the NCAA tournament.
"Right now, I'm kind of confused," the senior told reporters. "Kind of surreal. I feel like I'm dreaming, to be honest. I'll end up watching it on TV when I get home."
Savor the memories, Anthony. The junior college transfer has quite a back story considering his wife on the Montana women's basketball team, Shaunte, essentially rescued his career.
Here's how the Billings Gazette saw Johnson's big night:
Johnson put Montana on his back, scoring a championship record 42 points -- including a whopping 34 in the second half -- to will UM past Weber State by one point in the league title game and into the NCAA tournament.
A.J. scored Montana's last 21 points. Think about that for a minute.
Afterward, Montana coach Wayne Tinkle was asked if this was the best single-game performance he's ever seen, and that had him mentioning his own wife.
"Have to say yes, with the exception of a couple of my wife's games in college," Tinkle told reporters.
The former Lisa McLeod, who starred at Montana, has NCAA tournament experience. Tinkle also was an assistant coach with the Grizzlies when they upset fifth-seeded Nevada in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2006.
Along with Johnson, they'll all be dancing tonight.
"Ah fuck. You are right." KYJelly, 11/6/12
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." Barack Obama, 9/25/12
