University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, February 20
Greeley, Colo.
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
18-8,11-4Big Sky
68
vs
66
Southern Utah
14-12,7-8Big Sky
1
2
F
Southern Utah
23
43
66
Northern Colo.
37
31
68
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Clutch Baskets Helps Men's Basketball Past Southern Utah
2/20/2020 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball defeated Southern Utah 68-66 Thursday night
GREELEY – It was just like you draw it up on playground, tie game, final seconds, clock running down BANG! Bodie Hume hit a 3-pointer with 5.9 seconds to put Northern Colorado up 67-64 and keep the Bears in control of their own destiny for a Big Sky title.
Northern Colorado defeated Southern Utah 68-66 following free throws from each team to improve to 18-8 overall and 11-4 in the Big Sky.
The theme of the night for UNC was making shots at key moments throughout the second half. UNC went into the locker room up 37-23, but SUU chipped away and made it a game in the second.
The Thunderbirds cut the lead down to one point with 12:41 remaining in the game before Northern Colorado responded with a 10-0 run sparked by a pair of Hume threes.
Hume finished the night with a team-high four made 3-pointers and second in scoring with 16 points.
Trent Harris made a clutch three for the Bears when Southern Utah again cut the margin to one possession inside three minutes.
SUU tied the game at 64 on a free throw with 38 seconds remaining to set up Hume's game-winning shot.
The Bears gained their double-digit lead in the first half thanks to an 11-0 run after the first media timeout. Jonah Radebaugh scored seven straight points during the run.
Radebaugh concluded the night with his seventh double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds alongside five assists, a steal and block.
Northern Colorado held SUU to 35.7 percent shooting in the first half.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
What challenges did the 2-3 cause?
"I had a feeling they were going to throw some zone at us tonight. We have done well against it this year, but with Southern Utah's length, it makes you rush your shots a little more. We found a way to make some timely shots at the right time and held on for the win. Against a team with the type of talent Southern Utah has they pose a lot of problems. They could have come out and rolled over in the second half, instead they got the and one to start it and fought back."
Thoughts on the final play
"I would like to say that final play went just like I drew it up, but it wasn't. Kai has a good feel for the game against zones he can find open guys and look opposite of where the defender came from. I'm glad Bodie made the shot after he missed the free throw and not hesitate. That's a mentality you need."
About the importance of a big home crowd in these games down the stretch
"The energy from the fans at the end of the game was good and we need that in the middle of a Big Sky race. It was good to hear it get loud in here like we know it can and it helped us seeing Southern Utah miss a couple of important free throws at the end."
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado made nine 3-pointers on the night and they needed each of them coming at key times of the game.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh moved up the career charts in points scored and assists on Thursday night. The senior guard now has 1,238 points on his career to sit 11th on the all-time list and 342 assists to rank fourth.
- Radebaugh passed former teammate Jordan Davis for single-season assists to move into second place with 164. He only trails Bin Graefe and his 198 from the 1984-85 season.
- Kai Edwards continues to be a problem on the inside for Big Sky opponents with his 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
- Northern Colorado only trailed for 34 seconds over the two games between UNC and SUU this season.
Around the Big Sky
Eastern Washington survived at home as well Thursday night with a 77-76 win over Sacramento State. The Eagles and Bears now sit a game behind Montana for first place who was off tonight. EWU hosts Northern Arizona Saturday and Montana travels to rival Montana State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado hits the road to end the week with a trip to Pocatello, Idaho to face Idaho State at 7 pm on Saturday.
UNC returns home for its final homestand next week to host Idaho on Thursday, February 27 and Eastern Washington, Saturday 29.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
LET'S GOOOOOOO!!!!!! @bodiehume!!! pic.twitter.com/9VFmNARHq9
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 21, 2020
Northern Colorado defeated Southern Utah 68-66 following free throws from each team to improve to 18-8 overall and 11-4 in the Big Sky.
The theme of the night for UNC was making shots at key moments throughout the second half. UNC went into the locker room up 37-23, but SUU chipped away and made it a game in the second.
The Thunderbirds cut the lead down to one point with 12:41 remaining in the game before Northern Colorado responded with a 10-0 run sparked by a pair of Hume threes.
He's heating up! @bodiehume with his second straight 👌! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/ywlK5CKkxm
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 21, 2020
Hume finished the night with a team-high four made 3-pointers and second in scoring with 16 points.
Trent Harris made a clutch three for the Bears when Southern Utah again cut the margin to one possession inside three minutes.
Shooters shoot! Trent with the 👌! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/lri0T4wa4J
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 21, 2020
SUU tied the game at 64 on a free throw with 38 seconds remaining to set up Hume's game-winning shot.
The Bears gained their double-digit lead in the first half thanks to an 11-0 run after the first media timeout. Jonah Radebaugh scored seven straight points during the run.
Radebaugh concluded the night with his seventh double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds alongside five assists, a steal and block.
That's 7⃣ straight from @Radebaugh12 and we're up double figures! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/OPAPNQUfdi
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 21, 2020
Northern Colorado held SUU to 35.7 percent shooting in the first half.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
What challenges did the 2-3 cause?
"I had a feeling they were going to throw some zone at us tonight. We have done well against it this year, but with Southern Utah's length, it makes you rush your shots a little more. We found a way to make some timely shots at the right time and held on for the win. Against a team with the type of talent Southern Utah has they pose a lot of problems. They could have come out and rolled over in the second half, instead they got the and one to start it and fought back."
Thoughts on the final play
"I would like to say that final play went just like I drew it up, but it wasn't. Kai has a good feel for the game against zones he can find open guys and look opposite of where the defender came from. I'm glad Bodie made the shot after he missed the free throw and not hesitate. That's a mentality you need."
About the importance of a big home crowd in these games down the stretch
"The energy from the fans at the end of the game was good and we need that in the middle of a Big Sky race. It was good to hear it get loud in here like we know it can and it helped us seeing Southern Utah miss a couple of important free throws at the end."
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado made nine 3-pointers on the night and they needed each of them coming at key times of the game.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh moved up the career charts in points scored and assists on Thursday night. The senior guard now has 1,238 points on his career to sit 11th on the all-time list and 342 assists to rank fourth.
- Radebaugh passed former teammate Jordan Davis for single-season assists to move into second place with 164. He only trails Bin Graefe and his 198 from the 1984-85 season.
- Kai Edwards continues to be a problem on the inside for Big Sky opponents with his 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
- Northern Colorado only trailed for 34 seconds over the two games between UNC and SUU this season.
Around the Big Sky
Eastern Washington survived at home as well Thursday night with a 77-76 win over Sacramento State. The Eagles and Bears now sit a game behind Montana for first place who was off tonight. EWU hosts Northern Arizona Saturday and Montana travels to rival Montana State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado hits the road to end the week with a trip to Pocatello, Idaho to face Idaho State at 7 pm on Saturday.
UNC returns home for its final homestand next week to host Idaho on Thursday, February 27 and Eastern Washington, Saturday 29.
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
SUU
UNC
FG%
.458
.481
3FG%
.300
.346
FT%
.692
.583
RB
37
30
TO
5
6
STL
4
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballHead Coach Smiley, Jaron Rillie, Zach Bloch, and Isaiah Hawthorne Post Game Press Conference v Idaho
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Friday, February 21
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker, and Jaron Rillie Post Game Press Conference vs Montana State
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Langston Reynolds and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs NAU
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