Bears Roll Idaho, In First Place of Big Sky

Thursday, February 27

Greeley, Colo.

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

20-8,13-4Big Sky

Idaho

7-21,3-14Big Sky

Idaho

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Ryan Pfeifer

2/27/2020 10:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

Northern Colorado sits in a three-way tie atop the Big Sky standings

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY – The Bears left no doubt with a 93-49 win over Idaho Thursday night inside Bank of Colorado Arena. The 44-point win is the largest in the program's Big Sky history. With the win and Montana's loss to Northern Arizona, the Bears are in a three-way time for first place with UM and Eastern Washington. The win also clinched the Bears a bye in the Big Sky Tournament in two weeks in Boise.

The win gives UNC 20 on the year improving its record to 20-8 and 13-4 in the Big Sky.

Big Sky MVP candidate Jonah Radebaugh led the Bears with his fourth double-double in eight games with 13 points and 10 assists to go with five rebounds and five steals.

M-V-P! @Radebaugh12 #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/cetj8hh2u6
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 28, 2020

Radebaugh was one of four Bears to score in double figures. Bodie Hume and Kai Edwards led the team with 17 points each while Sam Masten chipped in 14.

Northern Colorado shot 54.0 percent from the field and made 14 3-pointers.

.@bodiehume with his second 👌and our 8⃣ th! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/Aorx3y4YUq
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 28, 2020

With the game at 19-15 UNC with 9:21 left in the first half, Northern Colorado went on a 10-0 run and never looked back. The Bears closed the half with a 27-9 margin holding Idaho to 2-of-13 shooting. Masten paced UNC with nine points during that stretch including a buzzer-beating three at the break.

That's too many to count this year! Another first half buzzer-beater! This one by @Bigsam_32! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/U9s9GuKmJz
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 28, 2020

Up 24 at the half, Northern Colorado played consistently in the second half building the lead to as much as 48.

What They Said

Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado picked up its 20th win of the season. It is the third straight season with 20-plus wins.

Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh's five steals are a career-high.
- Trent Harris moved into fifth place for single-season made 3s now at 85.
- The Bears had 26 points off 17 Idaho turnovers.
- UNC turned in its 10th game of the season with 10 or fewer turnovers. Northern Colorado had six on Thursday.
- Roy Grigsby had a career-high six points off the bench,

Around the Big Sky
There's now a three-way tie for first place in the Big Sky. The Bears, Montana and Eastern Washington are all 13-4 in the conference with three games to play. UM lost to Northern Arizona 57-56 while EWU beat Southern Utah 69-51 Thursday. The Griz travel to Sacramento State while the Bear and Eagles square off in Greeley Saturday.

What's Ahead
The showdown is set between Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington. Tied for first in the Big Sky, the Bears and Eagles tip-off at 7 pm inside Bank of Colorado Arena.

For tickets to the game and all UNC athletic events, visit UNCBears.com/Tickets, call 970-351-4849 or visit the UNC Ticket Office located inside the Campus Commons.

To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.