University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, February 19
Ogden, Utah
6:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
15-12,10-5Big Sky
83
at
79
Weber State
19-9,12-5Big Sky
1
2
OT 1
F
Northern Colo.
25
40
18
83
Weber St.
32
33
14
79
Bears Strom Back, Defeat Wildcats in Overtime
2/19/2022 9:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball won for the second time in program history Saturday night
OGDEN, Utah – Gritty, resilient, cardiac, any of these words fit the description of the Northern Colorado men's basketball team. The Bears overcame a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Weber State in overtime 83-79 Saturday night.
It is only the program's second win in Ogden and their third double-digit comeback win of the season.
Matt Johnson II lived up to his nickname Matty Ice once again hitting the game-tying three with 10.4 seconds left. He went on to score seven points in overtime shooting 3-for-3 from the field on his way to a career-high 25 points.
The Bears went a perfect 6-for-6 shooting in overtime.
Johnson II and Dru Kuxhausen were huge in the comeback for UNC. The duo combined to score 38 of the teams 58 points in the second half and overtime. Kuxhausen scored 21.
Northern Colorado's cold shooting from Thursday night made its way to the first half Saturday. UNC shot 32.1% over the first 20 minutes and trailed 32-25. Despite the struggle to see the ball through the net, the Bears were getting good looks and continued to fight.
UNC finally broke through with a 15-2 run to go from down 10 to up three with 5:03 left. The team shot 75% during the run while deploying a 2-3 zone defense that held WSU to 16.7% and forced three turnovers. Kuxhausen capped off the run with back-to-back threes.
The teams traded punches down the stretch like heavyweight fighters until Weber State went on a 6-0 run to go up three leading to the Johnson II tying shot.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado finally broke through its shooting slump in the second half shooting 53.8% over the final 20 minutes plus overtime to earn the comeback win.
Game Notes
- Matt Johnson II reset his career-high for the second time this week with his 25 points. He shot 11-of-16 from the field including 2-for-3 from behind the arc. He led the team with three assists and two steals.
- Dru Kuxhausen eclipsed the 20-point mark for the fifth time this year with his 21 points. The three-point specialist showed he's more than a one-trick pony slashing to the basket to score key baskets late.
- Bodie Hume struggled to find his shot, but still made a big impact on the game for UNC. The senior grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds to go with his seven points, two blocks, an assist and a steal.
- Dalton Knecht has become a key sixth man for the Bears scoring 13 points including big points down the stretch again.
Around the Big Sky
Tonight's game in Ogden was one of two big ones in the Big Sky today. Montana State defeated Southern Utah Saturday afternoon 76-71 to stay atop the standings. Northern Colorado would be the three seed in the Big Sky Tournament if the season ended today.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home for their final three home games of the 2021-22 season. It all starts on Monday when Idaho State visits Bank of Colorado Arena.
Tickets for the game are available 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 is only the program's second win in Ogden and their third double-digit comeback win of the season.
Matt Johnson II lived up to his nickname Matty Ice once again hitting the game-tying three with 10.4 seconds left. He went on to score seven points in overtime shooting 3-for-3 from the field on his way to a career-high 25 points.
Matty Ice AGAIN!!!🧊🧊🧊@mattoraw23 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/vmoaMujpzf
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 20, 2022
The Bears went a perfect 6-for-6 shooting in overtime.
Johnson II and Dru Kuxhausen were huge in the comeback for UNC. The duo combined to score 38 of the teams 58 points in the second half and overtime. Kuxhausen scored 21.
Northern Colorado's cold shooting from Thursday night made its way to the first half Saturday. UNC shot 32.1% over the first 20 minutes and trailed 32-25. Despite the struggle to see the ball through the net, the Bears were getting good looks and continued to fight.
UNC finally broke through with a 15-2 run to go from down 10 to up three with 5:03 left. The team shot 75% during the run while deploying a 2-3 zone defense that held WSU to 16.7% and forced three turnovers. Kuxhausen capped off the run with back-to-back threes.
The 🧑🍳is in the house!!!@dkux3 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/l68wUjSj8k
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 20, 2022
The teams traded punches down the stretch like heavyweight fighters until Weber State went on a 6-0 run to go up three leading to the Johnson II tying shot.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado finally broke through its shooting slump in the second half shooting 53.8% over the final 20 minutes plus overtime to earn the comeback win.
Game Notes
- Matt Johnson II reset his career-high for the second time this week with his 25 points. He shot 11-of-16 from the field including 2-for-3 from behind the arc. He led the team with three assists and two steals.
- Dru Kuxhausen eclipsed the 20-point mark for the fifth time this year with his 21 points. The three-point specialist showed he's more than a one-trick pony slashing to the basket to score key baskets late.
- Bodie Hume struggled to find his shot, but still made a big impact on the game for UNC. The senior grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds to go with his seven points, two blocks, an assist and a steal.
- Daylen Kountz once again reached double figures scoring, with 12 points alongside two rebounds, two assists and two steals.Defense leading to offense! @bodiehume | @DaltonKnecht3 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/zSEH2LHqEo
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 20, 2022
- Dalton Knecht has become a key sixth man for the Bears scoring 13 points including big points down the stretch again.
Around the Big Sky
Tonight's game in Ogden was one of two big ones in the Big Sky today. Montana State defeated Southern Utah Saturday afternoon 76-71 to stay atop the standings. Northern Colorado would be the three seed in the Big Sky Tournament if the season ended today.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home for their final three home games of the 2021-22 season. It all starts on Monday when Idaho State visits Bank of Colorado Arena.
Tickets for the game are available 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
Weber
FG%
.448
.439
3FG%
.429
.304
FT%
.636
.700
RB
39
41
TO
9
13
STL
7
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
11
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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