University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, February 6
Cedar City, Utah
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
15-7,8-3Big Sky
68
at
60
Southern Utah
13-9,6-5Big Sky
1
2
F
Northern Colo.
28
40
68
Southern Utah
21
39
60
Photo by: Robert Dunlap
Balanced Scoring Leads UNC to Win at Southern Utah
2/6/2020 9:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Five Bears finished in double-figures scoring at Southern Utah
CEDAR CITY, Utah – Five Bears finished in double figures scoring and Northern Colorado defeated Southern Utah 68-60 on Thursday night in Cedar City.
The win moves the Bears to 15-8 on the season and 8-3 in Big Sky play.
Kai Edwards led the team with 17 points off the bench and missed out on a double-double by two rebounds. Teammate Jonah Radebaugh did record a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.
UNC's defense did a good job shutting down the SUU offense holding the Thunderbirds to 41.7 shooting and just two made 3-pointers.
Bodie Hume started the game with back-to-back pick and pop 3s setting the tone for the Bears. He ended up making a quartet of shots from behind the arc in the first half including a pair on an 8-2 run to end the half.
Kur Jockuch and Edwards had a pair of big stretches during the first half scoring 10 of UNC's 12 points over a six-minute span.
The Bears held a 28-21 lead at the half as they kept SUU from making a field goal over the final 6:27 of it.
Trent Harris came alive in the second half for Northern Colorado scoring all 12 of his points in it on four made 3s. He book ended a 10-2 UNC run to earn their biggest lead of the night at 14 with 12:47 left.
Jockuch kept the Thunderbirds an arm's length away from the Bears with six straight points.
Harris and Radebaugh hit back-to-back 3s to shut the door on a possible comeback.
Northern Colorado made seven free throws over the final 1:46 to put the game away.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
Overall thoughts on the game
"We had a really quiet confidence tonight. As you can see as the season progresses when you play a West Virginia and a Texas those teams prepare you for a team like Southern Utah who is as athletic as anybody in our league. For us to come out and to execute the game plan on the defensive end was good. Coach Ken DeWeese did a good job of figuring out what their money sets were and not getting lost in all the different looks they can give you. For the first thirty-five minutes, we were dominant defensively. John Knight is a tough cover and we did a good job against him. Overall I feel as our grit, toughness and togetherness won us this game."
On Harris and Radaugh's back-to-back threes in the second half
"The two possessions where Jonah and Trent made two straight threes for us was huge. They gave us enough of a cushion and not allowing them to gain momentum for a comeback."
About the play of Kai Edwards and Kur Jockuch
"When Kai and Kur are playing the way they have the past few games it takes so much pressure off of our guards. While we still made 10 threes tonight to sit at our season average when these two are producing inside we are really hard to guard."
On the key to the balanced offense
"Kur had some big-time dunks for us tonight. Teams usually ice and drop the big. But tonight Southern Utah really brought the big guy up and closed the window we usually attack so our big guys knew they had to pop and flash off the screen. From there we got to our second or third action and really took advantage of that."
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado made 10 3-pointers compared to just two from Southern Utah. Those eight extra makes helped the Bears lead throughout the game.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh is now 16th in career points for the program at 1,172 and seventh for assists with 314.
- Radebaugh recorded his third game of the year with double-figure assists and third points-assists double-double.
- Bodie Hume snapped a streak of three straight games in single digits scoring with his 15 points. He made four shots from downtown.
- Over the past two games, Kur Jockuck and Kai Edwards have combined for 56 points and 23 rebounds for the Bears.
- Thursday night's game was the fourth time this year Northern Colorado had five or more players finish in double figures scoring.
Around the Big Sky
All eyes were on Missoula as Montana hosted Eastern Washington in the battle between first and second place Thursday night. The Griz won 92-82 to take over first place by half a game over UNC and EWU. Meanwhile, Northern Arizona jumped up to fourth place in the conference with an 88-87 overtime win over Idaho State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home on Monday to host Portland 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.
The win moves the Bears to 15-8 on the season and 8-3 in Big Sky play.
Kai Edwards led the team with 17 points off the bench and missed out on a double-double by two rebounds. Teammate Jonah Radebaugh did record a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.
Great ball movement and 💦! Harris with his fourth 👌 of the half. @Radebaugh12 with the double-double! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/XgWNN3CU2E
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 7, 2020
UNC's defense did a good job shutting down the SUU offense holding the Thunderbirds to 41.7 shooting and just two made 3-pointers.
Bodie Hume started the game with back-to-back pick and pop 3s setting the tone for the Bears. He ended up making a quartet of shots from behind the arc in the first half including a pair on an 8-2 run to end the half.
He's heating up!!! two straight trips two straight @bodiehume 👌! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/QanzZukOKC
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 7, 2020
Kur Jockuch and Edwards had a pair of big stretches during the first half scoring 10 of UNC's 12 points over a six-minute span.
🗣️AND-1 DUNK! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/L4TUJO8Kk3
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 7, 2020
The Bears held a 28-21 lead at the half as they kept SUU from making a field goal over the final 6:27 of it.
Trent Harris came alive in the second half for Northern Colorado scoring all 12 of his points in it on four made 3s. He book ended a 10-2 UNC run to earn their biggest lead of the night at 14 with 12:47 left.
Jockuch kept the Thunderbirds an arm's length away from the Bears with six straight points.
🤩😵👀🤯 okay @kjockuch! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/Hw5Czx7Omn
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 7, 2020
Harris and Radebaugh hit back-to-back 3s to shut the door on a possible comeback.
Northern Colorado made seven free throws over the final 1:46 to put the game away.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
Overall thoughts on the game
"We had a really quiet confidence tonight. As you can see as the season progresses when you play a West Virginia and a Texas those teams prepare you for a team like Southern Utah who is as athletic as anybody in our league. For us to come out and to execute the game plan on the defensive end was good. Coach Ken DeWeese did a good job of figuring out what their money sets were and not getting lost in all the different looks they can give you. For the first thirty-five minutes, we were dominant defensively. John Knight is a tough cover and we did a good job against him. Overall I feel as our grit, toughness and togetherness won us this game."
On Harris and Radaugh's back-to-back threes in the second half
"The two possessions where Jonah and Trent made two straight threes for us was huge. They gave us enough of a cushion and not allowing them to gain momentum for a comeback."
About the play of Kai Edwards and Kur Jockuch
"When Kai and Kur are playing the way they have the past few games it takes so much pressure off of our guards. While we still made 10 threes tonight to sit at our season average when these two are producing inside we are really hard to guard."
On the key to the balanced offense
"Kur had some big-time dunks for us tonight. Teams usually ice and drop the big. But tonight Southern Utah really brought the big guy up and closed the window we usually attack so our big guys knew they had to pop and flash off the screen. From there we got to our second or third action and really took advantage of that."
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado made 10 3-pointers compared to just two from Southern Utah. Those eight extra makes helped the Bears lead throughout the game.
Game Notes
- Jonah Radebaugh is now 16th in career points for the program at 1,172 and seventh for assists with 314.
- Radebaugh recorded his third game of the year with double-figure assists and third points-assists double-double.
- Bodie Hume snapped a streak of three straight games in single digits scoring with his 15 points. He made four shots from downtown.
- Over the past two games, Kur Jockuck and Kai Edwards have combined for 56 points and 23 rebounds for the Bears.
- Thursday night's game was the fourth time this year Northern Colorado had five or more players finish in double figures scoring.
Around the Big Sky
All eyes were on Missoula as Montana hosted Eastern Washington in the battle between first and second place Thursday night. The Griz won 92-82 to take over first place by half a game over UNC and EWU. Meanwhile, Northern Arizona jumped up to fourth place in the conference with an 88-87 overtime win over Idaho State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home on Monday to host Portland 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
UNC
SUU
FG%
.471
.417
3FG%
.400
.143
FT%
.714
.800
RB
30
29
TO
13
10
STL
2
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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