Michigan Beats Montana in Low-Scoring Affair in 2018 NCAA Tournament

Junior guard Charles Matthews posted 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Michigan Wolverines beat the Montana Grizzlies 61-47 in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

The Michigan defense was the story in this one, as the Wolverines dominated for nearly the entire game aside from the opening four minutes. Zach Shaw of 247Sports and CBS Sports provided more context on the start:

Michigan eventually fell behind 10-0, but it eventually found its groove as it held the Grizzlies to just over one point per minute for the rest of the contest. 

The Wolverines also prevented Montana from scoring for a 9:49 stretch in the beginning of the second half. They took advantage of the Grizzlies' cold spell, as a 33-30 lead grew to 44-30 with 9:54 remaining. Montana got as close as nine points down the stretch but never made a serious threat.

For the game, the Grizzlies made just 32.1 percent of their field goals and 20 percent of their three-pointers. Junior guards Michael Oguine and Ahmaad Rorie each scored 15 points for Montana.

Although Michigan's offense did not fare well overall (senior guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman was the only other Wolverine in double digits with 11), Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports noted that it was a good sign that the team won on the strength of its defense:

That defense will need to come up big on Saturday in the second round against the Houston Cougars, as senior guard Rob Gray dropped 39 on San Diego State on Thursday. He averages 18.5 points per game for the season.

Montana finished its 2017-18 campaign with a 26-8 record.