BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Bobby Howard grew up with stories of Craig Finberg's greatness on the basketball floor. He came to know the former Montana State star during his days as a youngster at Bobcat basketball camps.

And for his effort against the Grizzlies on Saturday, Howard's name will forever be linked to that of one of MSU's greatest basketball legends. Howard earned the first Finny Award, presented to the top Bobcat in each season's Cat-Griz game played in Bozeman.

The Finny Award is named for Finberg, a first-team all-conference player at MSU in the late 1970s who became a beloved and universally-respected figure in Treasure State basketball circles for his work as a coach following his playing career. Finberg passed away last spring after a brief but valiant struggle with cancer.

Howard, a junior from Great Falls, scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Bobcats past Montana 61-52 on Saturday. The 6-7 forward was also part of a Bobcat inside game that helped limit UM's star center Brian Qvale to two rebounds and one blocked shot.

"To be honored with something like that, it's priceless," Howard said. "It's amazing, to have your name in the same sentence as Craig Finberg. He's a great Bobcat, he was a better coach, and an ever better person."

"Bobby played extremely well and very hard Saturday," said MSU coach Brad Huse, like both Howard and Finberg a life-long Montanan. "He showed a lot of heart, and that certainly reflects how Craig Finberg played the game. I know it means a lot to Finny's family that the first Finny Award winner is a Montana kid."

Finberg had a tremendous impact on Howard's development as a player. A Columbia Falls native, Finberg coached Howard at MSU summer basketball camps. Howard's father Bob, now the head boys' basketball coach at Great Falls High, played on the MSU junior varsity squad during Finberg's senior season as a Bobcat.

"(Finberg coached) when I came to camp, and I knew him through my Dad and family," Bobby Howard said. "He was just a great person and a great mind, he was a great asset to the game. Everything he had to say, whether it was about shooting or life, it definitely sunk into me. It's really an honor."

After his playing days, Finberg enjoyed a stellar coaching career, including time at Beaverhead County High School and UM-Western, both in Dillon. Huse said the nature of MSU's win was a fitting tribute to Finberg, who remains among MSU's career leaders in both points and assists.

"Finny was all about the team," Huse said, "and Saturday's game was a team win. We had three or four players that really distinguished themselves and were considered for this award, but it's fitting that the first Finny Award goes to a Montana kid who has a family connection to the Finbergs."

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