UNC Falls in Double Overtime at TAMU Commerce

Monday, December 11

Commerce, Texas

10 a.m.

University of Northern Colorado

4-5,0-0Big Sky

101

Texas A&M - Commerce

5-6,0-0Southland

OT 1

OT 2

Northern Colo.

Tex. A&M-Commerce

101

12/11/2023 4:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Updated Season Stats Final Game Book (PDF)

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

COMMERCE, Texas – Northern Colorado fell 101-99 against Texas A&M – Commerce in double overtime at The Field House Monday.

The Bears' only other road game to need multiple extra periods to determine a winner occurred Feb. 14, 1929, when UNC defeated Wyoming 29-27 in Laramie.

UNC dropped an 83-81 result against Montana at Bank of Colorado Arena in three overtimes Feb. 14, 2015, the last time the Bears played at least two overtimes.

Dejour Reaves led four Bears in double-digit scoring with 30 points – the first 30-point game of his career - on 11 of 17 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range and added 3 of 4 at the free-throw line.

Saint Thomas tallied his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

Riley Abercrombie registered 16 points, while Brock Wisne added 13. Jaron Rillie dished out a game-high eight assists, two shy of his career high.

COACHES QUOTE
"Today was a great college basketball game, and unfortunately we came up one or two plays short," head coach Steve Smiley said. "We certainly had our chances and played a great game overall, leading for 39 of the 45 minutes, but a couple of mistakes and missed opportunities were the difference. I credit Texas A&M Commerce for their resilience and making huge plays down the stretch. This is another learning opportunity to improve upon, and we will do just that."

Northern Colorado built its largest advantage at 14, with 1:12 remaining before halftime, by running off 10 straight points. The Bears went to the locker room with an 11-point cushion (38-27) at the break.

The Lions buried two triples in succession to cut the margin to five at the 18:34 mark. Abercrombie stopped an 11-2 run by the home side in the first three minutes when he pushed the margin out to 43-38 on a 3-pointer.

UNC maintained a two or three-possession gap through the middle portion of the frame, including a 58-49 edge when Thomas sank two free throws with 8:27 remaining.

A 14-5 spurt pulled the Lions even at 63. They added four more in succession to grab their biggest cushion in regulation with 4:40 remaining.

The teams tallied three ties during the final four minutes of regulation, including at 76-all on a three by the Lions with five seconds remaining.

Reaves converted a pair of free throws and evened the contest at 85 with 34 ticks remaining in the first overtime. Both teams failed to cash in on their final possession of the first extra five minutes.

Texas A&M Commerce moved in front by five with 42 seconds on the clock in overtime number two and held on for the victory.

Team and Series Notes

The teams split the only two meetings in the all-time series, with the Bears winning 80-77 in 2022 at The Bank.
UNC last played a multiple overtime game on the road Feb. 14, 1929, a 29-27 win over Wyoming.
The Bears fell to 5-5 in overtime games that went more than one extra period, including 2-2 in double overtime.

Inside the Box

UNC tallied 99 points, the most since scoring 100 against Southern Utah Feb. 14, 2022.
The Bears last allowed an opponent to reach the century mark Feb. 3, 2022, against Portland State.
UNC set season-highs with 33 made field goals, 19 assists and a 51.6 shooting percentage.

Starters: Riley Abercrombie, Dejour Reaves, Jaron Rillie, Saint Thomas and Brock Wisne

Individual Notes

Dejour Reaves scored 30 points – the first 30-point game of his career - on 11 of 17 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range and added 3 of 4 at the free-throw line.
- He reached double figures for the eighth time in nine games.
- His five 3-point field-goal attempts and 11 field-goal attempts established his career best.
Saint Thomas recorded his fifth double-double of the season, with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
- He tallied double-digit scoring in seven games and double-digit rebounds in five of the nine.
- Thomas added four assists, one steal and a block.
Riley Abercrombie added 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
- He reached double-digit scoring for the sixth time this season.
Brock Wisne chipped in with 13 points, five boards, three assists, a steal and a block.
- He posted at least 10 points in seven of the nine games this season.
Jaron Rillie inked eight points, three rebounds, eight assists and a block.
- The eight assists rank first on the team in a game this season.
Connor Creech accounted for a season-high seven points, with three rebounds.
Theo Hughes notched a season-high six points, with one rebound and a steal.

POINTS FROM        UNC   TAMUC
Turnovers                  13        13
In the Paint               40        30
Second Chance       9          16
Fast Break                 14        10
Bench                        13        13

Next Game: UNC continues its road trip Friday at Colorado in Boulder at 6 p.m.

Next Home Game: UNC returns to The Bank Saturday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. against Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams. To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.