University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, February 26
Greeley, Colo.
6:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
17-13,12-6Big Sky
98
vs
94
Idaho
8-20,5-13Big Sky
1
2
F
Idaho
40
54
94
Northern Colo.
53
45
98
Photo by: Jam David
Bears Send Seniors off with Home Win
2/26/2022 9:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball's win and Eastern Washington loss secured the team's first round bye in the Big Sky Tournament
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado men's basketball sent its five graduating seniors out on a high note with a 98-94 win over Idaho Saturday night. The Bears had a strong offensive game shooting 55.7% from the field and making 12 three-pointers.
The win, plus Sacramento State's win over Eastern Washington secured UNC's first round bye in the Big Sky Tournament.
UNC wasted no time filling up the basket going on an early 8-0 run to set the tone for the game. The Bears led 12-4 less than six minutes into the game.
The threes started to fall after that for UNC with another run, this one 12-4 to increase their lead to 14. Northern Colorado made a trio of threes during the run, two from graduate student Dru Kuxhausen and one from Daylen Kountz.
Kuxhausen led the team with five threes on his way to 15 points. Meanwhile, Kountz had another 20-point game with exactly 20.
UNC held the 53-40 advantage at the break shooting 63.6% from the field.
The lead grew to as much as 16 early in the second half, but Idaho just kept hanging around.
Northern Colorado's lead hung around 10 for most of the second half, but a late flurry of threes in the final minute helped UI keep pressure on UNC. Matt Johnson II made five free throws in the final minute in a half to help the Bears secure the win.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado did a great job taking care of the ball turning it over a season-low four times.
Game Notes
- Matt Johnson II had his second straight 20-plus point game with a team-high 24, one-off his career-best. He shot well making three threes and went a key 5-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch.
- A total of six Bears scored in double figures in Johnson II, Kountz (20), Kuxhausen (15), Hume (11), Jongkuch (10) and Knecht (10).
- The 20-point game was the 18th of the year for Kountz.
Around the Big Sky
Weber State easily handled NAU on the road 73-49. Meanwhile, Sacramento State upset Eastern Washington 81-75. All eyes will be on Missoula, Montana on Sunday as Montana hosts Montana State. It starts four games in seven days stretch for the league-leading Bobcats.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado closes the regular season with a trip to Montana and Montana State, March 3 and 5, respectively.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men's Basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The win, plus Sacramento State's win over Eastern Washington secured UNC's first round bye in the Big Sky Tournament.
UNC wasted no time filling up the basket going on an early 8-0 run to set the tone for the game. The Bears led 12-4 less than six minutes into the game.
He got moves 🕺🕺🕺@kjongkuch | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/RudMfi8Lpm
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 27, 2022
The threes started to fall after that for UNC with another run, this one 12-4 to increase their lead to 14. Northern Colorado made a trio of threes during the run, two from graduate student Dru Kuxhausen and one from Daylen Kountz.
Kuxhausen led the team with five threes on his way to 15 points. Meanwhile, Kountz had another 20-point game with exactly 20.
SNIPER@dkux3 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/rfsME4X4wV
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 27, 2022
UNC held the 53-40 advantage at the break shooting 63.6% from the field.
The lead grew to as much as 16 early in the second half, but Idaho just kept hanging around.
Northern Colorado's lead hung around 10 for most of the second half, but a late flurry of threes in the final minute helped UI keep pressure on UNC. Matt Johnson II made five free throws in the final minute in a half to help the Bears secure the win.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado did a great job taking care of the ball turning it over a season-low four times.
Game Notes
- Matt Johnson II had his second straight 20-plus point game with a team-high 24, one-off his career-best. He shot well making three threes and went a key 5-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch.
- A total of six Bears scored in double figures in Johnson II, Kountz (20), Kuxhausen (15), Hume (11), Jongkuch (10) and Knecht (10).
- The 20-point game was the 18th of the year for Kountz.
- Bodie Hume had a season-high three steals to go with his 11 points five rebounds and two assists.AND ONE!!@DaylenKountz2 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/mlMKuWBwe4
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 27, 2022
Around the Big Sky
Weber State easily handled NAU on the road 73-49. Meanwhile, Sacramento State upset Eastern Washington 81-75. All eyes will be on Missoula, Montana on Sunday as Montana hosts Montana State. It starts four games in seven days stretch for the league-leading Bobcats.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado closes the regular season with a trip to Montana and Montana State, March 3 and 5, respectively.
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
UI
UNC
FG%
.556
.557
3FG%
.481
.444
FT%
.733
.783
RB
30
28
TO
8
4
STL
0
5
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
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