Bears Rally for Overtime Win at Montana

Thursday, January 11

Missoula, Mont.

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

9-6,2-0Big Sky

Montana

10-6,1-2Big Sky

OT 1

Northern Colo.

Montana

1/11/2024 10:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

Missoula, Mont. – Trailing by its largest deficit of the game, Northern Colorado stormed back and registered a 98-92 overtime victory against Montana at Dahlberg Arena.

With 4:49 remaining in regulation and facing a 10-point gap at 78-68, UNC scored 12 of the next 14 points, including seven straight to knot the game at 80, with 1:06 left. Saint Thomas rattled off the first 10 points for the Bears during the onslaught and Jaron Rillie accounted for the final two points needed to pull his side even at the free-throw line.

After a two-pointer in the paint nudged the Grizzlies in front, Thomas sank a floater to draw the Bears even with 36 ticks left. Montana had one more chance to win in regulation after Zach Bloch rejected the first attempt. A buzzer beater rimmed out and sent the teams to the extra period.

On the first possession of the extra five minutes, Brock Wisne turned away a layup attempt and Thomas put the Bears ahead for good. Leading with three points and 63 ticks left on the clock, UNC sank six free throws, while the Grizzlies sank a triple for the final result. Thomas went 4 of 4 at the line down the stretch, with Rillie sinking both of his attempts.

Thomas – who scored the first 10 points of the game for UNC – and netted 17 of his career-high 37 over the final 4:49 in regulation and overtime.

QUOTE FROM COACH SMILEY
"Really proud of our guys tonight, not only finding a way to win in a place that almost nobody wins at, but also finding a way to come back down 10 points with four minutes remaining," head coach Steve Smiley said. "I thought down the stretch we made every Winning Play and that was the best part about it. We will enjoy it tonight, and then refocus tomorrow on another great challenge and opportunity in Bozeman on Saturday night."

UNC Leader Scoring: Saint Thomas (37)
UNC Leader Rebounds: Saint Thomas (14)
UNC Leader Assists: Jaron Rillie (5)
UNC Leader Blocks: Saint Thomas (3)
UNC Leader Steals: Jaron Rillie (3)

Team and Series Notes

UNC moved to 9-6 overall, including 2-0 in Big Sky play, while the Grizzlies fell to 10-6, 1-2.
The Bears won for the fifth-straight time, hitting at least half of their field-goal attempts during that span.
UNC won its third game on the road in succession, moving to 3-4 as the visitor this season.
Montana fell for just the second time in eight games on its home floor this season.
The Bears improved to 17-27 in the all-time series, including 15-24 since moving to DI in 2006-07.
UNC moved to 11-14 all-time in Missoula, including seven of the last ten trips to Montana.
Under Smiley, the Bears moved to 4-3 over the Grizzlies, including 3-2 as the visitor.

Inside the Box

The Bears made 38 of 75 (50.7%) from the field, including 5 of 15 (33.3%) from behind the arc and 17 of 23 at the free-throw line (73.9%).
UNC made more than half of its field-goal attempts for the fifth-straight contest.
The Bears tallied 14 assists on 38 field goals.
UNC held the lead for 17 minutes and 58 seconds, while the Grizzlies were in front for 20:40.
The Bears improved to 5-3 when at least four finished with at least 10 points.

Starters: Riley Abercrombie, Zach Bloch, Jaron Rillie, Saint Thomas and Brock Wisne

Individual Notes

Saint Thomas registered 37 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal.
- Hit 13 of 20 from the field, including 2 of 5 from deep and 9 of 11 at the free-throw line to set a career-high with 37 points.
- Recorded his 12th double-digit scoring performance, second with at least 30.
- Registered his eighth double-double of the season.
Jaron Rillie stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
- Went 6 of 14 from the field, including 1 of 2 at 3-point range and 5 of 6 free throws.
Brock Wisne netted 15 points, with three rebounds and one block.
He registered his 10th double-digit scoring game of the season and 16th of his career.
Wisne went 7 of 8 from the field, converting his lone 3-point attempt.
Theo Hughes totaled 12 points, four rebounds and one steal.
- He finished in double-digit scoring for the second time this season.
Dejour Reaves tallied nine points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Riley Abercrombie made a 3-pointer and grabbed five rebounds and one assist.
Juju Ramirez added two points and one rebound.
Zach Bloch netted two points, three rebounds, one assist and a block.

POINTS FROM       UNC   UM
Turnovers               22      7
In the Paint             52      32
Second Chance      16      3
Fast Break              9        6
Bench                     23      18

Next Game: UNC closes the quick two-game road swing in Bozeman, Montana, against Montana State Saturday at 6 p.m.

Next Home Game:
The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m., against Sacramento State. 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.