Junior forward Courtney Lee recorded a double-double and sophomore forward Matt Maresca had a career night as the Toppers (8-1) overcame a lackluster first half to beat Montana (3-5) last night, 81-65.

The Toppers got their fourth in a row and ninth on the year, despite committing 21 turnovers and 23 fouls.

The game was tied at 37 at halftime, but the Toppers used 56 percent second-half shooting and outscored the Grizzlies, 33-16, over the final 12:30.

Coach Darrin Horn was critical of his team’s play at the outset, but was pleased with how the players responded to their slow start.

“You can’t afford to come into somebody else’s place with the kind of program they have here and not be ready to play,” he said on the post-game radio show.

Western returns to Diddle Arena to play Southern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday.

- Ed Lukins