Men's basketball sweeps Idaho

Saturday, January 16

Moscow, Idaho

1:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

7-6,4-4Big Sky

Idaho

0-11,0-8Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho

Photo by: Idaho Athletics

1/16/2021 3:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

UNC men's basketball completed the sweep of Idaho 75-61 on Saturday

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

MOSCOW, Idaho – A barrage of threes early and stout defense late led Northern Colorado to a weekend sweep of Idaho 75-61 on Saturday. The win puts UNC to 7-6 on the year and 4-4 in Big Sky play.

The Bears made 11 threes on the day, seven of those coming in the first half and then held UI to 12 points over the final 10:22 of the game.

It was a balanced offensive attack with four of five starters scoring at least 14 points. Matt Johnson II led the way for the fourth straight game with 18 points including going 4-for-7 behind the arc. Bodie Hume, Kur Jockuch and Tre'Shon Smoots each scored 14 points.

Thanks for leaving @mattoraw23 wide open again! #BearsStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/FxvNyJMJuj
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 16, 2021

Northern Colorado trailed early on before using a 17-2 run to take their first lead of the game. The run included five three-pointers and a thunderous dunk from Hume.

We don't know what the rim did to @bodiehume but we don't think it will do it again after that DUNK! #BearsStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/1NIa5C4rqN
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 16, 2021

Nine of Smoots' 14 points came during the run on back-to-back-to-back threes.

A live look at @Treshon_3 🔥🔥🔥! #BearsStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/DfOWEqCTQx
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 16, 2021

UI responds with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to three and UNC took that margin into the half.

After both teams shot over 48% in the first half, Northern Colorado held Idaho to 33.3% shooting in the second half.

The defensive effort and a 13-2 run put the game away for UNC. Five different Bears contributed scoring during the decisive run, led by Jockuch's four points.

Jockuch finished the game with 14 points and a game-high seven rebounds.

.@Treshon_3 dropping 🪙🪙 to @kjockuch! #BearsStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/UxkFrILbUD
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 16, 2021

What They Said

UNC Athletics · Postgame vs Idaho 1/16/21

Stat of the Game
It's simple math, three is greater than two. UNC made 11 three-pointers compared to just one from Idaho leading to a 30-point difference.

Game Notes
- Matt Johnson II scored in double figures for the fifth straight game. He filled up the stat sheet with two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Johnson II has averaged 19.3 points and made 17 shots from behind the arc in the past four games.
- Northern Colorado recorded 13 assists in the win led by Tre'shon Smoots four.
- Bodie Hume filled up the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
- Northern Colorado's win streak over Idaho now stands at seven.

Around the Big Sky
Defense was optional in Cheney on Saturday as Southern Utah defeated Eastern Washington 99-94. Meanwhile, NAU earned a 17-point comeback victory 62-58 over Montana. Montana State stayed undefeated in the Big Sky with a 69-64 win over Portland State.

What's Ahead
Big Sky preseason favorite Eastern Washington comes to Greeley next week for a pair of games. The Bears and Eagles will square off at 6:30 on Thursday, January 21 and meet again at noon on Saturday, January 23.

To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.