University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Men's Hoops Makes Statement with Big Sky Opening Win
12/2/2021 9:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball defended its home court Thursday night 77-75 in overtime
GREELEY, Colo. – The Bears struck gold Thursday night inside Bank of Colorado. UNC defeated Montana State 77-75 in overtime to start Big Sky play 1-0. UNC erased a seven-point second half deficit to force overtime.
Dalton Knecht started the overtime with a personal 5-0 run draining a three from the left corner and then threw down a fast break dunk after jumping in the passing lane. UNC made it a 9-0 run once Kur Jongkuch threw down back-to-back dunks.
Jongkuch finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds an assists, block and steal.
Montana State earned its seven-point second half lead with a 13-2 run to erase a seven-point deficit of their own, midway through the second half. MSU's lead grew to seven with 7:13 left when Dru Kuxhausen did was he does best, drain a three. That kept the Bears in it and they chipped away tying the game with 3:28 left.
The teams ended up tied three times over the final 3:28 leading into the extra five-minute period.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado recorded six blocks on the night. Two of the most important came in the final minute of overtime. Daylen Kountz had one with 25 seconds left and Kur Jongkuch inside the final 15 seconds.
Game Notes
- Daylen Kountz recorded his sixth 20-plus point game of the year leading UNC with 21 points. His free throw shooting was important going 6-of-7 from the line. Kountz added in seven rebounds, three assists and a block.
- Matt Johnson II led the Bears with four assists. UNC had 13 as a team, the fourth straight game with 10-plus assists.
Around the Big Sky
Thursday night marked the beginning of Big Sky play for the 2021-22 season. Along with the Bears, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana and Weber State picked up wins.
What's Ahead
UNC closes the weekend by hosting the Griz of Montana at 6 pm on Saturday. UM opened Big Sky play on Thursday at Sacramento State with a 65-58 win.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Dalton Knecht started the overtime with a personal 5-0 run draining a three from the left corner and then threw down a fast break dunk after jumping in the passing lane. UNC made it a 9-0 run once Kur Jongkuch threw down back-to-back dunks.
The play of the night came on the defensive end from Jongkuch. He chased down Nick Gazelas of MSU and swatted away a wide-open layup to secure the win for UNC.!!!!!!!!!@kjongkuch | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀🟡 pic.twitter.com/X6HnS5uCvR
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) December 3, 2021
Jongkuch finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds an assists, block and steal.
WHAT A BLOCK!!!@kjongkuch | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀🟡 pic.twitter.com/TKEggZ3Pkz
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) December 3, 2021
Montana State earned its seven-point second half lead with a 13-2 run to erase a seven-point deficit of their own, midway through the second half. MSU's lead grew to seven with 7:13 left when Dru Kuxhausen did was he does best, drain a three. That kept the Bears in it and they chipped away tying the game with 3:28 left.
Make it rain, @dkux3#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀🟡 pic.twitter.com/NXWfyKRaIm
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) December 3, 2021
The teams ended up tied three times over the final 3:28 leading into the extra five-minute period.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado recorded six blocks on the night. Two of the most important came in the final minute of overtime. Daylen Kountz had one with 25 seconds left and Kur Jongkuch inside the final 15 seconds.
Game Notes
- Daylen Kountz recorded his sixth 20-plus point game of the year leading UNC with 21 points. His free throw shooting was important going 6-of-7 from the line. Kountz added in seven rebounds, three assists and a block.
- Three other Bears reached double figures scoring in Kur Jongkuch (14), Matt Johnson II (14) and Dalton Knecht (10).AND ONE!@DaylenKountz2 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀🟡 pic.twitter.com/GkCiy8jpxF
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) December 3, 2021
- Matt Johnson II led the Bears with four assists. UNC had 13 as a team, the fourth straight game with 10-plus assists.
Around the Big Sky
Thursday night marked the beginning of Big Sky play for the 2021-22 season. Along with the Bears, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana and Weber State picked up wins.
What's Ahead
UNC closes the weekend by hosting the Griz of Montana at 6 pm on Saturday. UM opened Big Sky play on Thursday at Sacramento State with a 65-58 win.
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
MSU
UNC
FG%
.431
.452
3FG%
.421
.348
FT%
.611
.684
RB
33
34
TO
11
14
STL
7
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
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