University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 22
Cheney, Wash.
3:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
10-8,5-1Big Sky
87
at
83
Eastern Washington
10-8,4-3Big Sky
1
2
F
Northern Colo.
40
47
87
Eastern Wash.
40
43
83
Photo by: EWU Athletics
Clutch Plays, Strong Offense Lead Bears over Eagles
1/22/2022 6:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball won for the first time since 2013 at Eastern Washington
CHENEY, Wash. – The drought is over. Northern Colorado men's basketball won for the first time since 2013 at Eastern Washington 87-83 Saturday afternoon.
It was another classic between the Bears and Eagles coming down to the final seconds. Trailing by one with inside the final 35 seconds Daylen Kountz drove the lane for a tough finish to go up one.
Matt Johnson II put UNC up by three with a pair of free throws before the Bears needed a big stop in the final seconds.
Kur Jongkuch protected the rim on a Linton Acliese drive and pulled down the rebound inside the final second to secure the win by making two free throws.
Kountz led the team with 29 points on an efficient 12-for-18 shooting day. Four other Bears scored in double figures in Jongkuch (14), Dru Kuxhausen (13), Dalton Knecht (13) and Bodie Hume (12). Hume ended up with a double-double pulling down 10 rebounds.
The game was tied at halftime as it was a game of runs throughout. UNC went on a pair of 7-0 runs and a 9-0 run in the first half, but EWU fought back every time.
Kountz scored 17 of his 29 points in the first half, while Knecht caught fire late with eight points in the final four minutes.
A key in the first half was Eastern Washington going to the free throw line nine times, making six of their attempts, while the Bears didn't even attempt a free throw.
In the second half, Northern Colorado grew its lead to nine points with 11 minutes left. EWU responded with a 6-0 run and the remainder of the contest was played within two possessions leading to the drama in the final minute.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
While not attempting a free throw in the first half, Northern Colorado ended up 15-of-19 from the free throw line. Bodie Hume led the team with six makes.
Game Notes
- The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Bears in Cheney.
- Daylen Kountz recorded his 10th 20-point game of the season. He added in four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
- Bodie Hume had his first double-double of the season scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He filled the stat sheet with three assists, a block and a steal. Hume is now seven points away from cracking the program's top 10 for all-time scoring.
- Kur Jongkuch scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half.
- Matt Johnson II continues to deliver dimes with four more on Saturday. He is now averaging 4.8 per game in Big Sky play.
- Dalton Knecht recorded his first back-to-back double-figure scoring games with 13 points on Saturday after scoring 15 on Thursday.
Around the Big Sky
Montana joined Northern Colorado with a road weekend sweep defeating Northern Arizona 58-48. Idaho picked up its first Big Sky win of the year over Sacramento State in overtime 73-72, while Southern Utah set up a battle for first place on Monday against Weber State by defeating Idaho State 86-74.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home for a big-time matchup on Thursday when Weber State comes to town. Tip-off is set for 6 pm.
It is throwback night featuring retro Northern Colorado uniforms and discounted concessions pricing. Tickets for the game can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
It was another classic between the Bears and Eagles coming down to the final seconds. Trailing by one with inside the final 35 seconds Daylen Kountz drove the lane for a tough finish to go up one.
2H | 😤😤😤#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/v1qm0oZlMa
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 22, 2022
Matt Johnson II put UNC up by three with a pair of free throws before the Bears needed a big stop in the final seconds.
Kur Jongkuch protected the rim on a Linton Acliese drive and pulled down the rebound inside the final second to secure the win by making two free throws.
Kountz led the team with 29 points on an efficient 12-for-18 shooting day. Four other Bears scored in double figures in Jongkuch (14), Dru Kuxhausen (13), Dalton Knecht (13) and Bodie Hume (12). Hume ended up with a double-double pulling down 10 rebounds.
2H | 🔨🔨🔨 @bodiehume!#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/pLHLgyXeec
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 22, 2022
The game was tied at halftime as it was a game of runs throughout. UNC went on a pair of 7-0 runs and a 9-0 run in the first half, but EWU fought back every time.
Kountz scored 17 of his 29 points in the first half, while Knecht caught fire late with eight points in the final four minutes.
A key in the first half was Eastern Washington going to the free throw line nine times, making six of their attempts, while the Bears didn't even attempt a free throw.
In the second half, Northern Colorado grew its lead to nine points with 11 minutes left. EWU responded with a 6-0 run and the remainder of the contest was played within two possessions leading to the drama in the final minute.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
While not attempting a free throw in the first half, Northern Colorado ended up 15-of-19 from the free throw line. Bodie Hume led the team with six makes.
Game Notes
- The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Bears in Cheney.
- Daylen Kountz recorded his 10th 20-point game of the season. He added in four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
- Bodie Hume had his first double-double of the season scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He filled the stat sheet with three assists, a block and a steal. Hume is now seven points away from cracking the program's top 10 for all-time scoring.
- Kur Jongkuch scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half.
- Northern Colorado shot the ball well once again on Saturday shooting 57.1% for the game. Matching their season-best shooting performance. They shot 57.1% for the weekend as well.2H | 💪💪💪 @kjongkuch!#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/FP2QTcG3Sy
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) January 22, 2022
- Matt Johnson II continues to deliver dimes with four more on Saturday. He is now averaging 4.8 per game in Big Sky play.
- Dalton Knecht recorded his first back-to-back double-figure scoring games with 13 points on Saturday after scoring 15 on Thursday.
Around the Big Sky
Montana joined Northern Colorado with a road weekend sweep defeating Northern Arizona 58-48. Idaho picked up its first Big Sky win of the year over Sacramento State in overtime 73-72, while Southern Utah set up a battle for first place on Monday against Weber State by defeating Idaho State 86-74.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home for a big-time matchup on Thursday when Weber State comes to town. Tip-off is set for 6 pm.
It is throwback night featuring retro Northern Colorado uniforms and discounted concessions pricing. Tickets for the game can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets.
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
EWU
FG%
.571
.459
3FG%
.364
.429
FT%
.789
.818
RB
31
28
TO
12
9
STL
6
8
Game Leaders
Pts
29
FGM
12
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballG
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