Davis Breaks Season Assist Record in Loss at NAU

Thursday, January 26

Flagstaff, AZ

6:30 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

7-13, 3-6BSC

Northern Arizona University

5-16, 2-6BSC

Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

1/26/2017 10:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Kobee Stalder, UNCBears.com

Box Score

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Sophomore guard, Jordan Davis broke Northern Colorado's (7-13, 3-6 Big Sky) Division I single-season assist record in Thursday nights, 63-50 loss at Northern Arizona (5-16, 2-6 Big Sky). Davis finished with six assists and now has 109 on the season, besting the previous record of 106.

How It Happened:
After redshirt sophomore guard, Chaz Glotta opened the Bears' scoring with a three in the beginning minutes of the game, the team went close to four minutes without another bucket, a common theme all evening as UNC couldn't find a way to finish on the perimeter or at the rim.

Northern Colorado had two runs in the first half that put them back in the driver's seat. Trailing 14-9 to the 'Jacks, UNC adventured on a quick 5-0 run to tie the game up with 7:58 remaining until intermission. The second rally came a few minutes later, this one of an 8-0 fashion, with redshirt freshman guard, Jonah Radebaugh scoring five of the eight points to boost the Bears to a 26-18 advantage with a little under three minutes to go in the half.

NAU answered the run, outscoring UNC 10-3 in the remaining minutes, but the Bears were able to hold a slim, 29-28 lead at halftime.

The second half was where Northern Colorado ran into trouble, as the Lumberjacks limited them to just 21 points on the offensive end.

Northern Arizona opened the half on a 14-5 run, putting UNC into a 42-34 deficit, one they were not able to recover from.

The Bears were able to get back within four (43-39) with 12:10 to play after a three-ball from Glotta and lay-in from Davis, but that is as close as it would get for the remainder of the game.

Northern Colorado shot just 28% from both three-point range and the field, and ended the second half 8-of-31 (25%) from the floor and 3-of-16 (18%) from beyond the arc.

Glotta, Davis and Radebaugh all ended the night with double figures for UNC. Glotta paced the team with 12 points, while Radebaugh and Davis recorded 11 apiece.

Jordyn Martin led the way for Northern Arizona, finishing with a game-high 19 points, while Ako Kaluna notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Game Changer:
UNC was unable to contain NAU's post presence of Ako Kaluna and Jordyn Martin. The duo combined for 33 of the 'Jacks 63 points.

Key Stat:
Northern Colorado was outscored 42-12 in the paint by Northern Arizona.

In Their Words:
Head Coach, Jeff Linder:
"They (Northern Arizona) did a good job of attacking us inside and with our team, it's one of those deals of pick your poison. We knew by letting them score twos and not threes that we could put ourselves in a position late to win the game. Now, when you let them score at the clip they were scoring at, and then come down at the other end and not be able to finish at the rim, or on open threes that's the difference in the game."

"I didn't think it was about effort. We had a good first half and we were in the lead, but the second half we just didn't guard them well enough. Unfortunately, you can't beat injuries. A guy like Ibrahim [Sylla] is a presence down low, not just with his ability to score, but his ability to pin fouls. He puts foul pressure on guys where we aren't just forced to live and die on the perimeter. That's where hopefully here in the near future we'll get him back, but in the meantime no one feel's sorry for you in this business and our guys will bounce back just like they have all season long and we'll be ready to go on Saturday against Southern Utah."

Notables:
- Jordan Davis finished with six assists, bringing his season total to 109, which is a new Division I program record. Davis also continued his streak consecutive games in double figures. He now has 25 straight games of scoring at least 10 points or more.
- Northern Arizona finished the night 48% (26-of-54) from the field.
- UNC's defense held the Lumberjacks to just 18% from beyond the arc as they finished 3-of-16.
- Northern Colorado was out-rebounded 44-30 in the loss.
- the 50-point performance is the lowest scoring total the Bears have been held to all season.

Up Next:
Men's hoops will finish out its road trip on Saturday, Jan. 28 as they head to Cedar City, Utah to take on Southern Utah. Tip against the Thunderbirds is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (MT).