Davis snaps two streaks with a pair of shots

Monday, February 25

Missoula, Mont.

7 PM

University of Northern Colorado

18-9, 12-4BSC

Montana

20-7, 13-3BSC

Northern Colorado

Montana

Jordan Davis scored a game-high 23 points, including the two go-ahead free throws in the final seconds.

2/25/2019 9:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ryan Ronan

MISSOULA, Mont. – What better situation could UNC ask for than the programs all-time leading scorer at the line with five seconds to play in a tie game?

Before you answer that question, consider Montana came in on a program-record 10-game winning streak, they had beaten the Bears four consecutive times averaging 90 points a game and a UNC loss all but secured a regular-season title for UM.

When you are Jordan Davis and you came to Northern Colorado to leave your mark on a program these are the situations you live for. The senior stepped to the line and in the face of the Griz student section single handily snapped both streaks with two shots that gave UNC a 74-72 win.

With both teams out of time outs and just 15 seconds to play there wasn't going to be anything drawn up on a whiteboard, it was just time to make a play. Davis turned a walk into a jog and by the time he got to a sprint Billy Morehead had no chance to keep him in front that forced Sayeed Pridgett to step over and get called for a foul.

Just seconds earlier, Pridegtt was at the line with a chance to give the Griz a lead, but the three-time Big Sky Player of the Week was only able to make 1-of-2 free throws. He was at the stripe following three missed Montana layups in the span of five seconds, any of which, would have also given UM the lead.

Davis and Pridgett have combined for six conference player of the week awards, but it was freshman Sam Masten who on a broken play with the shot clock under five seconds got into the lane and hit the shot that gave UNC a lead with under 90 seconds to play.

Montana is 10th in the nation in field goal percentage. Following the Masten go-ahead basket, UNC held them to 0-for-4 from the field and just 2-of-6 from the free throw line.

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX SCORE

Those game-winning free throws made Davis the game's high scorer with 23.
The Bears balanced that out by having five other players score at least nine points led by Jonah Radebaugh with 10.
Masten, Bodie Hume, Trent Harris and Kai Edwards all scored nine points. Harris and Edwards did so off the bench.
Edwards matched his total in points with rebounds.
Montana made 15 threes' in its last win over Montana State. UNC held them to just nine.
Take away the career-high six made by Donaven Dorsey and the total would have been a third of that.
The win gave UNC 12 Big Sky wins this season, which ties the acknowledged program record for most BSC wins in a season.
The original mark was set in 2009-10.

CHASING A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Is what the Bears still have a chance to accomplish. UNC is now just a game back of Montana with four games remaining. The victory keeps them ahead of Weber State by two games. Montana closes out its season against Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Portland State and Sacramento State.

SCHEDULE SAYS
Besides, keep the hopes of a conference championship alive, the win means that no matter what following the game on Thursday against the Wildcats, UNC will still be alone in second place. Tickets for that game and Saturday's game against Idaho State are available at tickets.UNCO.edu or by calling the UNC Box Office at 970-351-4849 Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.