Record setting opening night for Harris and @UNC_BearsMBB

Friday, November 9

Greeley, Colo.

7pm

University of Northern Colorado

1-0, 0-0

126

Colorado College

0-0, 0-0

Colorado College

Northern Colorado

126

Trent Harris set the record for most three pointers made in a game.

11/9/2018 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ryan Ronan

Northern Colorado Men's Basketball has been on the record-setting trend lately. They ended last season with the Big Sky Conference's first postseason basketball title, set seven conference records and a school record for most wins in a single season. So, it seemed only fitting that trend would continue in the first game of the 2018-19 season.

Playing in his first official game as a member of the UNC program, Trent Harris knocked down 11 3-pointers, which set a new program record for three's made in a single game. His 33 points led all scorers and were a big reason why the Bears beat Colorado College, 126-56 to open the season.

"I feel like I was able to have a night like this because of my teammates," said Harris. "I feel like they assisted on most of my shots. I have had some games close to this, but I have never made 11 three's in a game, maybe like seven, but not 11."

While one record fell, many others were challenged. Harris is now tied with Cory Schwab for second most three-pointers made in a game by a Big Sky player in a game. Schwab, who played for Northern Arizona in 2000, and Harris are only one behind the all-time record of 12.

"The thing about what Trent did tonight, is that they were all good shots," said UNC head coach Jeff Linder. "We really work on when a guy has a hot hand making sure we get him the ball. I told him he has the school record, but he is only third on my all-time three-point list for players I have coached. I had a guy make 16 and 13 in a game, I feel like he would have got there if we kept him in the game, but we needed to make sure we kept him fresh for the Pepperdine game on Tuesday."

The 33 points scored by the transfer from Western Nebraska Community College are good for the fourth most ever scored by a Bear. And finally, the 126 points is good for the second most ever scored by UNC. The Bears needed just one more basket to overtake the record of 127 set against the University of the Southwest in 2013.

"Really proud of our guy's effort tonight. I thought they did a really good job of executing the game plan. I do feel bad for coach (Andy) Partee we didn't try to go out there and beat them by 70. A lot of the second half we had four or five freshmen on the floor and they continued to play the right way," Linder said.

As for how the Bears scored the second most points in school history, no surprise most of it came from three-point range. UNC went 23-for-47 from deep for a percentage of nearly 49. In their exhibition game against Colorado Christian, the Bears were also feeling it from behind the arc when they attempted 49 three's.

"We just take what the defense gives us. We have put a premium on shooting in recruiting and if a guy has an open shot we want him to take it. That's how our team is built," Linder said.
While Harris stole the show, he was hardly the only Bear who stuffed the stat sheet. Sam Masten, who was also playing his first game as a Bear, went for 23 including four three balls of his own. Fellow freshmen Cole Bergan went for 11 and Jonah Radebaugh added 10.

You can't forget about the lone senior, Jordan Davis kicked off his final campaign by scoring 17 points, he is now just 32 points shy of breaking the DI program record for most points scored.

As coach eluded to the competition takes a huge step up on Tuesday when the Waves come to Greeley looking to even the score from last season. Pepperdine beat Cal State Dominguez in an exhibition and will open their season officially on Saturday against Cal State Northridge.