University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, March 5
Missoula, Montana
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
71
at
64
Montana
Photo by: Todd Goodrich
Bears Run Past Griz Late
3/5/2020 10:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball used a late 15-2 run to defeat Montana 71-64 Thursday
MISSOULA, Mont. – Northern Colorado used a 15-2 run over six minutes down the stretch against Montana to come away with their second straight win in Missoula 71-64. It is also the team's third straight win over UM.
With the victory, UNC is now 21-9 on the year and 14-5 in Big Sky play.
Four Bears finished the game in double-figures scoring led by Jonah Radebaugh's 21 points. He added six rebounds and five assists. Seven of his 21 came during that decisive 15-2 run.
It was a grinder of a first half as UNC never trailed and the pace was never pushed. The Bears led by as much as seven thanks in part to Kai Edwards and Kur Jockuch. The UNC bigs came up big as Montana kept Northern Colorado from getting loose behind the arc. The duo combined for 15 points in the first.
The Bears defense played well in the first holding UM to 39.3 percent shooting and scored 11 points off of eight Griz turnovers to lead 30-25 at the break.
Both Big Sky MVP candidates Radebaugh and Sayeed Pridgett were sidelined for most of the first half with a pair of fouls, but they put on a show in the second half.
Pridgett put his team on his back scoring 20 points in the second half including contributing on a 9-0 run that gave Montana the lead at 40-38.
Bodie Hume and Jonah Radebaugh responded with a pair of 3s to stop Montana's momentum and give Northern Colorado back the lead.
Radebaugh's second trey of the night started the decisive 15-2 run. He scored 17 of his 21 in the second half.
The Griz did not go away quietly closing the gap to five inside the final minute, but UNC made enough free throws down the stretch to leave Missoula with the victory.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
Overall thoughts on the game
"In that locker room is a special group of guys. We had a tough loss at home last Saturday and on the outside, you didn't know how they would respond. As a coaching staff, we knew we would see something like tonight. They would come out ready to play in a really tough place to play in knowing what Montana had to play for and they haven't lost at home since November. For every one of these guys on this team to get us ready was big. It goes from our starters to the scout team getting us prepared for this game and Coach Smiley having us ready with a really good scouting report. Everyone stepped up tonight. In the first half when Jonah went out with two fouls, Rodrick McCobb stepped up and was a stud in the minutes he played. It was a collective team effort."
About the battle between Radebaugh and Pridgett
"Both Jonah and Sayeed (Pridgett) are two of the best competitors in the league. Jonah can match Pridgett's competitiveness and bring out the best in his teammates. When Montana went on their runs Jonah didn't allow us to fluster. He did a good job for us just handling the game."
On the 3-point defense
"From a percentage standpoint, Montana is up there on made 3-pointers. We did a good job against them tonight. When you look at the stat sheet and see that Kendal Manuel had two points in forty minutes. Matt Johnson is the reason behind that. As much talk as Jonah's defense receives, Matt does so much for us as well. His defense against Manuel is the difference in the game. Coach Smiley did a good job of getting us ready for where Manuel was going to get his shots. We knew if they started making threes in this building that's when they beat up on teams."
Stat of the Game
One is the loneliest number and it was a very lonely one for Montana on Thursday night. The Bears held UM to 1-of-12 from behind the arc proving why they have one of the best 3-point defenses in the nation.
Game Notes
- Northern Colorado is the only Big Sky school to win at Montana this season. The Griz entered Thursday with an 11-game home win streak.
- Jonah Radebaugh is now second in program history for career rebounds with 771, passing Robert Skinner (1976-80).
- Radebaugh is just the 10th member of the 1,300 point club in UNC history. He now has 1,315 for his career. Thursday's game was his 10th 20-plus point game and second straight.
- Trent Harris is tied for the sixth-most 3-point makes in a career at Northern Colorado with Derek Chaney (1990-94) at 163.
Around the Big Sky
Eastern Washington clinched at least a share of the Big Sky title on Thursday night with its 100-77 win over Idaho State. UNC can clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Big Sky Tournament with a win on Saturday. The Bears and Montana still have a shot at a shared regular season title with a win Saturday and EWU loss.
What's Ahead
The 2019-20 regular season comes to a close on Saturday, March 7 at Montana State. Tip-off between the Bears and Bobcats is set for 4 pm.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
With the victory, UNC is now 21-9 on the year and 14-5 in Big Sky play.
Four Bears finished the game in double-figures scoring led by Jonah Radebaugh's 21 points. He added six rebounds and five assists. Seven of his 21 came during that decisive 15-2 run.
🤫🤫🤫 @Radebaugh12 brings a hush to the Montana crowd! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/qB5f6zsdSk
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) March 6, 2020
It was a grinder of a first half as UNC never trailed and the pace was never pushed. The Bears led by as much as seven thanks in part to Kai Edwards and Kur Jockuch. The UNC bigs came up big as Montana kept Northern Colorado from getting loose behind the arc. The duo combined for 15 points in the first.
The big guys are going to work early on! Kai with 6⃣ and @kjockuch with 4⃣! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/IUSoWRnOxO
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) March 6, 2020
The Bears defense played well in the first holding UM to 39.3 percent shooting and scored 11 points off of eight Griz turnovers to lead 30-25 at the break.
Both Big Sky MVP candidates Radebaugh and Sayeed Pridgett were sidelined for most of the first half with a pair of fouls, but they put on a show in the second half.
Pridgett put his team on his back scoring 20 points in the second half including contributing on a 9-0 run that gave Montana the lead at 40-38.
Bodie Hume and Jonah Radebaugh responded with a pair of 3s to stop Montana's momentum and give Northern Colorado back the lead.
.@bodiehume with a big time 👌! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/sLYMao2skS
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) March 6, 2020
Radebaugh's second trey of the night started the decisive 15-2 run. He scored 17 of his 21 in the second half.
.@Radebaugh12 is feeling it! #GoUNCBears🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/QYrgqC1iQs
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) March 6, 2020
The Griz did not go away quietly closing the gap to five inside the final minute, but UNC made enough free throws down the stretch to leave Missoula with the victory.
What They Said
Head Coach Jeff Linder
Overall thoughts on the game
"In that locker room is a special group of guys. We had a tough loss at home last Saturday and on the outside, you didn't know how they would respond. As a coaching staff, we knew we would see something like tonight. They would come out ready to play in a really tough place to play in knowing what Montana had to play for and they haven't lost at home since November. For every one of these guys on this team to get us ready was big. It goes from our starters to the scout team getting us prepared for this game and Coach Smiley having us ready with a really good scouting report. Everyone stepped up tonight. In the first half when Jonah went out with two fouls, Rodrick McCobb stepped up and was a stud in the minutes he played. It was a collective team effort."
About the battle between Radebaugh and Pridgett
"Both Jonah and Sayeed (Pridgett) are two of the best competitors in the league. Jonah can match Pridgett's competitiveness and bring out the best in his teammates. When Montana went on their runs Jonah didn't allow us to fluster. He did a good job for us just handling the game."
On the 3-point defense
"From a percentage standpoint, Montana is up there on made 3-pointers. We did a good job against them tonight. When you look at the stat sheet and see that Kendal Manuel had two points in forty minutes. Matt Johnson is the reason behind that. As much talk as Jonah's defense receives, Matt does so much for us as well. His defense against Manuel is the difference in the game. Coach Smiley did a good job of getting us ready for where Manuel was going to get his shots. We knew if they started making threes in this building that's when they beat up on teams."
Stat of the Game
One is the loneliest number and it was a very lonely one for Montana on Thursday night. The Bears held UM to 1-of-12 from behind the arc proving why they have one of the best 3-point defenses in the nation.
Game Notes
- Northern Colorado is the only Big Sky school to win at Montana this season. The Griz entered Thursday with an 11-game home win streak.
- Jonah Radebaugh is now second in program history for career rebounds with 771, passing Robert Skinner (1976-80).
- Radebaugh is just the 10th member of the 1,300 point club in UNC history. He now has 1,315 for his career. Thursday's game was his 10th 20-plus point game and second straight.
- Trent Harris is tied for the sixth-most 3-point makes in a career at Northern Colorado with Derek Chaney (1990-94) at 163.
Around the Big Sky
Eastern Washington clinched at least a share of the Big Sky title on Thursday night with its 100-77 win over Idaho State. UNC can clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Big Sky Tournament with a win on Saturday. The Bears and Montana still have a shot at a shared regular season title with a win Saturday and EWU loss.
What's Ahead
The 2019-20 regular season comes to a close on Saturday, March 7 at Montana State. Tip-off between the Bears and Bobcats is set for 4 pm.
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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