CHANDLER, Ariz. – A pair of scoring droughts during each half hindered the OUAZ men's basketball team in the its 93-82 loss to Montana Western in the Spirit's first of two games at the Cactus Classic over the next four days.
 
OUAZ (4-6) had built an 11-point cushion midway through the first half before Montana Western (6-5) scored 11 straight to tie the game on its way to a 47-45 lead at halftime. After the Spirit scored the first eight points of the second half, the Bulldogs countered with a 20-4 run to open a 67-57 advantage with 11:28 remaining.
 
UMW had the advantage to 80-69 with 5:20 remaining before OUAZ mounted a slight rally. Dimetres Moore scored seven straight points to get the Spirit within four. After a defensive stop, Jake Satter's attempt from three was off the mark and Western was able to hold off the rally the rest of the night.
 
Moore ended the night with a game-high 30 points on 11 of 19 shooting. He hit 3 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc with four rebounds. Brian Carey added 25 points with six rebounds and five assists.
 
The Spirit shot 47.7 percent from the field with 40 points in the paint. They totaled 13 assists with 14 turnovers and 36 rebounds. OUAZ made just 42.4 percent in the second half while converting only two of the nine 3-point attempts.
 
UMW shot 46.3 percent with nine threes and just eight turnovers. Cedric Boone led the Bulldogs with 22 points.
 
OUAZ will return to action at the Cactus Classic on Tuesday when they face Lethbridge. Tipoff at the Coyote Center on the Chandler-Gilbert Community College is at 4 p.m.