University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 4
Greeley, Colo.
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
9-5,2-1Big Sky
74
vs
66
Montana
7-8,3-1Big Sky
1
2
F
Montana
31
35
66
Northern Colo.
32
42
74
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Bears Give Montana First Conference Loss of the Year
1/4/2020 10:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball beat Montana 74-66 Saturday
GREELEY, Colo. – Jonah Radebaugh proved once again why he is the most balanced player in the Big Sky in Northern Colorado's 74-66 win over Montana on Saturday night. He scored 18 points, had seven assists, four rebounds and a steal while also guarding Montana's best player all night long in Sayeed Pridgett.
Behind Radebauh's efforts and the team-leading 22 points from sophomore Bodie Hume, UNC moves to 2-1 in Big Sky play and 9-5 overall.
The Bears came out strong Saturday night opening the game on a 16-3 run over the first 5:30. Hume scored 12 of the team's 16 points to open the game making two 3-pointers and being fouled on two others going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Meanwhile, the Bears defense held the Griz to 1-of-8 shooting and forced four turnovers during that span.
Montana chipped away at the UNC lead throughout the rest of the first half going on 12-2 run to pull within one. Northern Colorado led by that margin at the half as well at 32-31.
The Griz took its first lead of the game early in the second half, but it didn't last long with Matt Johnson responded on UNC's next possession with a 3-pointer to regain the lead. Northern Colorado never trailed again following the Johnson three with 18:47 left in the game.
While Montana kept it close through the early part of the second half, UNC put the game away with a decisive 13-2 run after UM tied it in at 45.
The 3-point shot once again was key during the Bears run as they made three during it. Hume put the exclamation point on the run with his fourth three of the night.
Northern Colorado's lead never dipped below six after that as they put away the game at the free throw line making nine straight over the final 1:13.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado forced Montana into nine turnovers on Saturday night and capitalized, scoring 15 points off them.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh is now ranked in the program's top 10 for career assists. He passed Scott Watson (1986-90) to join the top 10. With his seven tonight, he has 256 for his career.
- It was Radebaugh's eighth game this season with five-plus assists and sixth with seven-plus.
- Radebaugh is tied for eighth in program history for career steals with Erik Olson (2002-06) now at 123.
- Kai Edwards joined the 500 rebound club on Saturday. He now has 501 for his career after he grabbed nine in the game.
- Hume led the Bears with 22 points and a season-high tying seven rebounds.
- Four Bears ended the game in double figures scoring in Hume (22), Radebaugh (18), Sam Masten (12) and Trent Harris (11)
- Masten had a career-high three steals to go with his 12 points.
- The Bears snapped a four-game home losing streak to Montana.
- This is the first time since 2013-14 that UNC has swept the Montana schools at home.
Around the Big Sky
Just two weeks into Big Sky play and there are both no more undefeated or winless teams in the conference. The Bears took down Montana while previously winless Sacramento State beat the other unbeaten in Idaho State 68-49. The other winless team, Northern Arizona, won at Weber State this afternoon 72-64. Montana currently holds a half-game lead over a quartet of teams for first place including UNC.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns to the road next week for one game at Weber State on Thursday, January 9 at 7 pm.
UNC's next home game is on January 16 against Sacramento State at 7 pm. Tickets for the game and all UNC men's basketball games can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849 or visiting the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons, (M-F, 10 am - 5 pm). All ticket purchases may include fees.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Behind Radebauh's efforts and the team-leading 22 points from sophomore Bodie Hume, UNC moves to 2-1 in Big Sky play and 9-5 overall.
The Bears came out strong Saturday night opening the game on a 16-3 run over the first 5:30. Hume scored 12 of the team's 16 points to open the game making two 3-pointers and being fouled on two others going 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
Here we go! @bodiehume with the 👌 to open tonight's scoring! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/qupsMCxndv
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 5, 2020
Meanwhile, the Bears defense held the Griz to 1-of-8 shooting and forced four turnovers during that span.
The Bears are 🔒in on defense UM without a basket for over four minutes! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/qwFNADESfZ
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 5, 2020
Montana chipped away at the UNC lead throughout the rest of the first half going on 12-2 run to pull within one. Northern Colorado led by that margin at the half as well at 32-31.
The Griz took its first lead of the game early in the second half, but it didn't last long with Matt Johnson responded on UNC's next possession with a 3-pointer to regain the lead. Northern Colorado never trailed again following the Johnson three with 18:47 left in the game.
While Montana kept it close through the early part of the second half, UNC put the game away with a decisive 13-2 run after UM tied it in at 45.
The 3-point shot once again was key during the Bears run as they made three during it. Hume put the exclamation point on the run with his fourth three of the night.
Let's GOOOOO!!! Bears on a 13-2 run! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/zsIYXAfaVx
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 5, 2020
Northern Colorado's lead never dipped below six after that as they put away the game at the free throw line making nine straight over the final 1:13.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado forced Montana into nine turnovers on Saturday night and capitalized, scoring 15 points off them.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh is now ranked in the program's top 10 for career assists. He passed Scott Watson (1986-90) to join the top 10. With his seven tonight, he has 256 for his career.
- It was Radebaugh's eighth game this season with five-plus assists and sixth with seven-plus.
- Radebaugh is tied for eighth in program history for career steals with Erik Olson (2002-06) now at 123.
- Kai Edwards joined the 500 rebound club on Saturday. He now has 501 for his career after he grabbed nine in the game.
- Hume led the Bears with 22 points and a season-high tying seven rebounds.
- Four Bears ended the game in double figures scoring in Hume (22), Radebaugh (18), Sam Masten (12) and Trent Harris (11)
- Masten had a career-high three steals to go with his 12 points.
- The Bears snapped a four-game home losing streak to Montana.
- This is the first time since 2013-14 that UNC has swept the Montana schools at home.
Around the Big Sky
Just two weeks into Big Sky play and there are both no more undefeated or winless teams in the conference. The Bears took down Montana while previously winless Sacramento State beat the other unbeaten in Idaho State 68-49. The other winless team, Northern Arizona, won at Weber State this afternoon 72-64. Montana currently holds a half-game lead over a quartet of teams for first place including UNC.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns to the road next week for one game at Weber State on Thursday, January 9 at 7 pm.
UNC's next home game is on January 16 against Sacramento State at 7 pm. Tickets for the game and all UNC men's basketball games can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849 or visiting the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons, (M-F, 10 am - 5 pm). All ticket purchases may include fees.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Team Stats
Mont
UNC
FG%
.452
.451
3FG%
.316
.370
FT%
.667
.818
RB
32
33
TO
9
11
STL
7
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
7
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
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