Bears can’t get past Bengals’ defense in OT thriller

Saturday, December 31

Pocatello, Idaho

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

5-9,0-2Big Sky

Idaho State

5-10,2-0Big Sky

OT 1

Northern Colo.

Idaho St.

12/31/2022 8:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

POCATELLO, Idaho – In a back-and-forth game, turnovers ended up being the Achilles heel for the Northern Colorado men's basketball team, as the Bears lost 90-83 in overtime to Idaho State on Saturday night.

The Bears controlled most of the first half, holding a 10-point lead before a buzzer-beater by the Bengals made the score at halftime 32-30. In the second half, UNC gave up seven turnovers and faced a 12-point deficit midway through the half. However, the Bears battled back and Daylen Kountz hit two free throws in the final seconds to force overtime.

Unfortunately, Idaho State pulled away in the overtime period, outscoring the Bears, 23-16, to win the contest 90-83.

BY THE NUMBERS

Dalton Knecht tied his career-high mark for points with 29 and made a career-best 12 free throws.
Daylen Kountz was second on the team with 19 points on the night.
Northern Colorado attempted a season-high 32 free throws.
The 26 fouls committed by UNC was also a season high.

ACCORDING TO COACH SMILEY
"I was a lot more pleased about our effort tonight, and I felt like we really did a good job of cleaning up the things we addressed from the previous game. At the end of the day, it's a make or miss game, and we missed some great looks throughout the course of the game, including some free throws early on.

I'm disappointed for the guys that we didn't get out of here with a win because we played well enough to win, but to beat good teams on the road we need to make a few more plays."

UP NEXT
The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena in the new year, hosting Montana State on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. (MT). Head over to UNCBears.com/tickets to secure tickets for the conference home opener.