Second half surge too much for @UNCO_MBB

Saturday, November 19

Santa Clara, CA

8:00 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

1-2

Santa Clara University

2-2

Northern Colorado

Santa Clara

11/19/2016 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Thomas Hoffman, uncbears.com

Santa Clara, Calif – Beginning the first of five games on the road, Northern Colorado was in the northern end of California Saturday evening, facing Santa Clara. A second half surge from the Broncos was too much to handle for the Bears, falling 88-72.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was the UNC defense that got out after it early, forcing three early turnovers. Chaz Glotta made the most of the opportunities, scoring five early points and, aiding the Bears to a 11-7 early advantage.

The Bears' offense looked like a well-oiled machine. Mid-way through the first half, Northern Colorado had made nine of 10 from the field, increasing the UNC lead.

As quickly as the Bears and Broncos started the contest, scoring dropped sharply late in the half, with both teams going three plus minutes without finding a basket.

In the initial 20 minutes, Northern Colorado shot 53 percent from the field and saw two players in double figures, Chaz Glotta and Ibrahim Sylla. Sylla had a game-high 13 points and six rebounds at the mid-way point.

Jordan Davis didn't go unnoticed lighting up the stat columns, totaling nine points, three rebounds and five assists.
Santa Clara opened the second frame on a nine to five run, closing the gap three minutes in.

Another scoring drought would damper the mood for Bears fans on-hand in Santa Clara. Scoreless for more than five minutes, the Broncos would go on a 14-0 run to take the lead 65-55.

SCU stretched the lead to as much as 17 in the game, much in part to 13 three-point shots made by the Broncos. Santa Clara also did not commit a single turnover in the second half en route to their victory.

Not all was lost for Northern Colorado, though. Jordan Davis with his first double-double of the season, racking up 24 points and 10 assists. Ibrahim Sylla and Chaz Glotta also finished in double figures, both scoring 15 points.

KEY STAT
Three pointer made – The Broncos doubled up the Bears, finishing with 14 made three compared to UNC's seven.

MOST VALUABLE BEAR
Jordan Davis – 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

IN THEIR WORDS
Jeff Linder, Head Coach
"it was the tale of two halves. I thought that in the first have we have great execution. We got the ball in the paint, move inside and out and create some open looks."

"When teams make a run, instead of settling down and trying to orchestrate the offense, we tend to rush things. In turn, that drops your shooting percentage and increases your turnovers."

"We knew they were due to make some shots. They have too many shooters not to be able to knock down shots. That was one of our main emphasis was to get pressure on their shooters. Unfortunately, the dam broke in the second half and things got away from us late."

"There's a lot of positives to take from this. We'll look at the tape, see what we can improve upon and move forward."

NOTABLES
-Three Bears finished in double figures (Jordan Davis, Chaz Glotta and Ibrahim Sylla).
-Jordan Davis notched his first double-double of the season, scoring 24 points and recording 10 assists.
-UNC led the majority of the game, until SCU took a 53-51 lead at the 15 minute mark in the second half.
-Chaz Glotta led the team with three made three-point baskets.
-Forty-two of the Bears' 72 points were scored in the paint.

UP NEXT
The Bears will continue their road trip as they travel next to the City of Lights, for the Las Vegas Invitational. UNC fans will welcome the boys in blue back to the Bank of Colorado Arena on December 3, when they face North New Mexico College.