Point guard, perimeter threat, part-time maintenance person - Shaunte Nance-Johnson ran the show in more ways than one for the Montana Lady Griz on Tuesday.

The senior point guard hit 8 of 12 shots for a game-high 19 points in leading the Maroon past the Silver, 70-46, in an intrasquad scrimmage at Dahlberg Arena. She also dished out three assists and grabbed two steals, but it was her resourcefulness during a stoppage in the action that drew maybe the most applause.

When the ball lodged between the top of the backboard and the 35-second clock, the wife of Griz men's basketball star Anthony Johnson took matters in her own hands . She took off one shoe and heaved a laser shot that knocked the ball loose, then struck a playful pose.

"With Mandy being gone I know a lot of people were wondering what was going to happen with the point guard position," said the upbeat Nance-Johnson, referring to Mandy Morales, Montana's team leader the past four seasons. "The good thing is I got to be behind her and learn so much from her that when she left, I felt like now it's my turn. I have to lead."

It's not just scoring and passing that make her a leader. She's constantly directing traffic and offering encouragement.

"It was a natural role for her to step into this year, I thought," Montana coach Robin Selvig said. "She had quality minutes last year and she's an older kid (almost 23), more experienced in basketball terms. She understands things from the point guard position."

Nance-Johnson was one of three familiar Lady Griz putting up numbers Tuesday. Senior guard Lauren Beck scored 12 points and grabbed six boards and junior forward Sarah Ena scored 11 to go with seven rebounds.

A trio of freshmen also made a mark. Topping the list was post Katie Baker, who scored a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Maroon.

The program lists Baker at 6-foot, but she plays bigger. Her upper body strength should serve her well in the Big Sky Conference.

"I haven't felt this nervous for a game since my freshman year of high school," she admitted. "But it was really an exciting experience. Just a great environment with the crowd."

Joining Baker on the list of freshmen in double figures scoring were forward Alyssa Smith and guard Kenzie De Boer. Smith led the Silver with 13 points and seven rebounds and De Boer tallied 13 points with five assists for the Maroon.

"We're excited about her," Selvig said of Smith, who hit 3 of 6 attempts from 3-point range. "The freshmen will have days where it doesn't necessarily go well. But that was really good to see because Alyssa is going to be a really good player."

Selvig says he can learn from scrimmages like Tuesday's, but it's just one of many days that serve as a proving ground.

"If one team is scoring, the other team is not defending in my mind," said the coach, who pointed out Stephanie Stender led his team in scoring the last time it scrimmaged.

Notes: There will be no exhibition game against Déjà vu on Sunday ... The Lady Griz will play an exhibition game against Northwest Sports on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Sheryl Swoopes and former Lady Griz Sonya Rogers are expected to play on the Northwest Sports team. Rogers and Morales were in the crowd on Tuesday. Morales played in Greece for a brief stint before being sidelined by an injury.

Composite boxscore

Maroon 70, Silver 46

Alyssa Smith 5-10 0-0 13, Ashley Ferda 3-9 2-4 9, Misty Atkinson 3-8 2-3 8, Stephanie Stender 2-10 3-4 7, Kelsey Hildal 1-6 2-2 5, Jessa Loman Linford 2-8 0-2 4, Shadra Robison 0-5 0-0 0, Shaunte Nance-Johnson 8-12 2-2 19, Kenzie De Boer 4-9 2-2 13, Lauren Beck 4-11 1-2 12, Katie Baker 4-10 3-6 11, Sarah Ena 5-12 1-2 11, Tianna Ware 1-5 0-0 2, Alexandra Hurley 1-8 0-0 2. Totals 43-123 18-29 116.

3-point goals - Team 12-36 (Smith 3-6; Hildal 1-4, Ferda 1-4, Robison 0-2, Stender 0-4, De Boer 3-5, Beck 3-4, Nance-Johnson 1-3, Hurley 0-3, Baker 0-1). Rebounds - Team 85 (Baker 14). Assists - Team 25 (De Boer 5). Turnovers - Team 26 (Linford 3, Atkinson 3, Ferda 3, Hildal 3, De Boer 3). Blocked shots - Team 9 (Ena 2, Robison 2). Steals - Team 12 (Ena 2, Nance-Johnson 2, De Boer 2).