@unco_mbb Downs Portland State, Moves to 2-0 in Big Sky Play

Saturday, December 31

Portland, OR

3:05 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

6-7, 2-0

Portland State University

8-5, 1-1

Northern Colorado

Portland State

12/31/2016 6:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Kobee Stalder, UNCBears.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the third time in Division I program history, Northern Colorado (6-7, 2-0 Big Sky) opened Big Sky play 2-0 after defeating Portland State (8-5, 1-1 Big Sky) 73-59 on Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings entered the contest as the seventh-best offensive team in the country, averaging 90.7 points per game, but the Bears were able to hold PSU to just 36.4% shooting and 59 points as they snapped the Viks' five-game winning streak.

How It Happened:
After jumping out to an early 8-4 lead, The Bears advantage dwindled away due to a Portland State 8-0 run, putting the Vikings out in front 12-8 with 14:09 remaining in the half.

PSU was able to keep that lead over the next 12 minutes, until UNC adventured on an 11-2 rally to end that half.

Four straight points from sophomore guard, Jordan Davis and a jumper from junior guard, DJ Miles tied the game up at 28-28 with 2:57 left until intermission.

A huge three-point play from redshirt sophomore guard, Chaz Glotta gave the Bears its first lead of the half since the 15-minute mark. Glotta drove to the rim and got the shot to fall while being fouled and then finished at the free throw line for the old-fashioned three points.

The 11-point run ended on a freshman forward, Kai Edwards lay-in to send UNC to the locker room with a 33-30 lead over Portland State.

Northern Colorado's offense clicked in the second half, traversing on a 19-9 run in the first eight minutes to take a double-digit lead over the Vikings, 52-39.

With 8:54 to go and a 15-point lead (58-43) in hand, The Bears fell into an offensive drought of over five minutes.

During that time, Portland State trickled away its deficit to just three points, going on a 10-0 run over that time to make it 58-53 with 3:28 remaining on the clock.

Miles finally put an end to the scoreless streak with a big three-ball to push the Northern Colorado advantage back to eight.

From there, the Bears got seven points from redshirt freshman guard, Jonah Radebaugh in the final minutes to stave off Portland State for the win.

Game Changer(s):
Redshirt freshman guard, Jonah Radebaugh and junior guard, DJ Miles played pivotal roles in UNC's win at Portland State. Radebaugh scored seven of his 13 points in the final minutes of the second half to seal the win for the Bears. Miles knocked down four three-pointers in the second half, including the one that ended Northern Colorado's five-plus minute scoring drought, finishing with 17 points.

Key Stat:
For the fourth consecutive game, Northern Colorado's defense was able to keep its opponent under 40% shooting. The Bears held the Vikings to just 36.4% from the field, as well as keeping PSU 31 points below their season average.

In Their Words:
Head Coach, Jeff Linder
"I just know this, I have a group of guys that have a collective toughness and a collective grit. To come on the road and play a really good Portland State team, a really dangerous Portland State team – a team that is one of the best offensive teams in the country with some very talented guards and to beat them in their gym with the short turn around that we had is a testament to the strides this program is making. They had enough in the tank and really did a great job of following the game plan."

Notables:
- Jordan Davis and DJ Miles paced the team in scoring. The duo combined for 36 points as they each tallied 19 and 17 in the victory. Davis also dished out a team-high seven assists and brought in five boards. Jonah Radebaugh also finished in double figures with 13 points, as wells as five rebounds
- As a team, UNC shot just shy of 50%, finishing 47.3% on the night. The Bears converted on 26-of-55 baskets, as well as 10-of-28 from three-point range. The 10 threes were five more than the team made in its last game
- The Bears were just 11-of-20 (55%) from the free throw line, but still converting more than Portland State as the Viks finished 4-of-21 (19%) from the stripe.
- This was just the third time in program history that UNC has won at Portland State. The Bears now are 8-18 against PSU in the all-time series.
- This is the third time in 11 seasons that Northern Colorado has opened league games with a 2-0 mark.
- Ibrahim Sylla and Kai Edwards tied for the team lead in rebounding with eight. Sylla also finished with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.

Up Next:
UNC will host its first pair of conference games next Thursday and Saturday as Southern Utah (Jan. 5) and Northern Arizona (Jan. 7) come to town. Tickets for Saturday's game against the Lumberjacks are just $2, along with $1 hot dogs and $1 drinks will be available. To purchase tickets online, visit UNCBears.com.