Kountz Records Third Straight 20 point game

Saturday, November 13

Honolulu, Hawaii

7:30 pm MT

University of Northern Colorado

2-1,0-0Big Sky

Hawaii-Hilo

2-0,0-0PacWest

OT 1

Hawaii Hilo

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

11/13/2021 10:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

UNC men's basketball concluded its trip to Hawaii Saturday night

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Northern Colorado Men's Basketball concluded its trip to Hawaii for the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic falling in overtime to Hawaii-Hilo 87-79. The Bears end their trip 2-1 coming home for the home opener against Colorado College on Monday.

Up four points inside the final five seconds, a UNC foul gave Hilo a second life. Max Kunnert was fouled shooting a three-pointer making the first two and intentionally missing the third. Erik Borg gathered the rebound and put it through the net to force OT.

Daylen Kountz and Kur Jongkuch had strong games for UNC. Kountz had his third straight 20-plus point game of the season with 20 on Saturday. He added in a career-best nine rebounds, an assist and a block. Jongkuch had his second double-double of the year with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

There was lots of offense in the first half as UNC shot 57.1% and Hilo 50.0%. The Bears held a 38-36 lead at the break.

Kountz and Jongkuch's strong games began in the first 20 minute period. Kountz scored nine points and had three rebounds. Meanwhile, Jongkuch entered the locker room with 8 points and five rebounds.

The duo made their hay in the second half from the free throw line going a combined 9-for-11. Kountz was a perfect 5-of-5.

What They Said
Head Coach Steve Smiley

What has been the key to Daylen's strong start to the year?
Daylen has been really good, and it starts with his approach. He's been dialed in on a daily basis and it's really showing on the court consistently. He's definitely one of the most talented players in the Big Sky, especially as he continues to get more and more consistent. I'm really proud of how he has started this season.

How important was Kur's presence in the paint tonight?
Kur's presence is invaluable every night. With a legitimate post presence like Kur, it really opens up the floor for everybody else. His continued development is a huge piece of our success.

What did you learn about your team over this trip?
There are many things we learned from the trip. Tonight's loss was a disappointing end to an otherwise great week. We will learn certainly learn a lot of lessons from this game and how we ultimately lost.

Stat of the Game
Turnovers turned out to be a big factor in the game. UNC turned it over 17 times leading to 24 points for Hilo.

Game Notes
- Kur Jongkuch extends his streak of double figures rebound games to nine with his 11 rebounds on Saturday. Jongkuch finished a point shy of his career-high scoring.
- Daylen Kountz was a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. Over the three games of the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 rebounds in the tournament.
- Two other Bears finished in double figures scoring in Matt Johnson II with 13 and Bodie Hume with 10.
- All nine players that saw the court Saturday scored.
- UNC matched its season-high six blocks.
- The Bears outrebounded Hilo 48-36.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado will play in front of its home fans for the first time in 2021-22 when they host Colorado College on Monday, November 15 at 6 pm. Season tickets are still on sale at UNCBears.com/Tickets.