University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, February 5
Flagstaff, Ariz.
2:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
11-11,6-4Big Sky
74
at
71
Northern Arizona
8-14,4-7Big Sky
1
2
F
Northern Colo.
29
45
74
Northern Ariz.
34
37
71
Photo by: Wes Salonen
Johnson II's last second shot leads Bears over Northern Arizona
2/5/2022 5:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Matt Johnson II sank a three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to lift UNC over NAU
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The nickname Matty Ice isn't just given, it's earned. Matt Johnson II showed once again why he's earned the nickname Saturday afternoon. Northern Arizona tied the game at 71 with eight seconds left when he pushed the ball up the court stopped and fired from the right side for the game-winning three with just 0.5 on the clock.
Johnson II's shot capped off a 12-point comeback win for the Bears and snapped a three-game losing streak. UNC outscored NAU 18-9 over the final 7:29 including a 13-1 run.
In a game where shots were not falling for the majority of it for Northern Colorado they never gave in and kept chipping away. Shooting just 38.7% in the first half, UNC trailed 34-29 at the break.
Northern Arizona came out strong in the second half extending its lead to 12 with 14:31 left before the Bears made their comeback.
It was Johnson II and Big Sky leading scorer Daylen Kountz who led the charge. The duo scored the final 18 points and 34 of the team's 45 second half points.
Kountz tied the game on an and-one with 5:22 left scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.
Northern Colorado grew its lead to as much as six down the stretch, but back-to-back threes in the final minute allowed NAU to tie it and set up Johnson's game-winning heroics.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
With jump shots not falling for Northern Colorado, they attacked the basket outscoring NAU 42-22 in the paint.
Game Notes
- Daylen Kountz had his 14th 20-plus point game of the season with 24 points alongside two rebounds and assists.
- Matt Johnson II matched his career-high in rebounds with seven to go with his 17 points and team-leading four assists.
- Dru Kuxhausen had his sixth straight double-digit points game with 12 points on Saturday.
Around the Big Sky
UNC-NAU was the only men's Big Sky game this afternoon. The remaining four games will be played Saturday night with a pair of big games between Southern Utah and Eastern Washington and first place Weber State hosts Montana State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona meet each other for round two on Monday at 7:30 pm. It is a part of a doubleheader with women's basketball. They tip-off at 5:30 pm against Portland State. Purchase tickets for the games 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.
MATTTTTTYYYY ICE!!!!!!! 🧊🧊🧊@mattoraw23 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/yOqwt7yuAG
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 5, 2022
Johnson II's shot capped off a 12-point comeback win for the Bears and snapped a three-game losing streak. UNC outscored NAU 18-9 over the final 7:29 including a 13-1 run.
In a game where shots were not falling for the majority of it for Northern Colorado they never gave in and kept chipping away. Shooting just 38.7% in the first half, UNC trailed 34-29 at the break.
Northern Arizona came out strong in the second half extending its lead to 12 with 14:31 left before the Bears made their comeback.
It was Johnson II and Big Sky leading scorer Daylen Kountz who led the charge. The duo scored the final 18 points and 34 of the team's 45 second half points.
Kountz tied the game on an and-one with 5:22 left scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points in the second half.
2H | 🗣️ @DaylenKountz2 AND-1!!!
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 5, 2022
#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/OsvB7mvDhY
Northern Colorado grew its lead to as much as six down the stretch, but back-to-back threes in the final minute allowed NAU to tie it and set up Johnson's game-winning heroics.
What They Said
Stat of the Game
With jump shots not falling for Northern Colorado, they attacked the basket outscoring NAU 42-22 in the paint.
Game Notes
- Daylen Kountz had his 14th 20-plus point game of the season with 24 points alongside two rebounds and assists.
- Matt Johnson II matched his career-high in rebounds with seven to go with his 17 points and team-leading four assists.
- Dru Kuxhausen had his sixth straight double-digit points game with 12 points on Saturday.
- Bodie Hume followed up his second double-double of the year with a 10 points, eight rebounds and a block.2H | @dkux3 with the big 👌 out of the timeout!
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 5, 2022
#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/Ad0z4Q0qfY
- The Bears are now 8-9 all-time when playing in Flagstaff.2H | @bodiehume said NO!#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/DzgRNH76te
— UNC Men's Basketball (@UNC_BearsMBB) February 5, 2022
Around the Big Sky
UNC-NAU was the only men's Big Sky game this afternoon. The remaining four games will be played Saturday night with a pair of big games between Southern Utah and Eastern Washington and first place Weber State hosts Montana State.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona meet each other for round two on Monday at 7:30 pm. It is a part of a doubleheader with women's basketball. They tip-off at 5:30 pm against Portland State. Purchase tickets for the games 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
NAU
FG%
.492
.438
3FG%
.364
.345
FT%
.800
.500
RB
31
41
TO
7
12
STL
5
2
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
11
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
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