UNC Routs Portland State with Huge Second Half

Saturday, January 20

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

11-7,4-1Big Sky

Portland State

11-8,2-4Big Sky

Portland St.

Northern Colo.

1/21/2024 12:09:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Presser - Coach Smiley Postgame Presser - Bloch and Thomas Game Highlights Final Game Book (PDF)Updated Season Stats Updated Season Stats - BSC Only

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado scored 28 straight points on its way to a blowout of Portland State Saturday at Bank of Colorado Arena.

The Bears outscored Portland State 67-28 over the final 23:45 of the contest, including 54-22 in the second half. They turned a 33-23 deficit with 3:45 remaining in the first half into a 90-61 triumph and improved to 7-1 at home this season.

UNC missed nine of its first 10 attempts from the field and tallied just 10 points over the first 10 minutes of the contest. Once the Big Sky Conference's most potent offense found its rhythm, Portland State had no answer for the Bears. They hit 32 of their final 54 shots, including 18 of 29 in the second half.

Despite the slow start, UNC trailed just 7-0 when Zach Bloch broke the ice with a triple three minutes and 10 seconds into the game. Bloch trimmed the deficit to 19018 with just over eight minutes remaining in the opening frame but a 14-7 spurt by the Vikings over the next four minutes pushed their cushion out to 10.

Dejour Reaves went on a 7-1 run of his own and slashed the gap to four with 1:46 left in the frame. After the Vikings nudged the margin back to six, Brock Wisne added an old-fashioned 3-point play and the teams went to their respective locker rooms with Portland State up three, 39-36.

A jumper with 11:53 remaining in the game snapped a scoreless streak that covered 8:56, including the first 8:07 for the Vikings in the second half. During the span, Portland State went 0 for 10 from the field, while UNC knocked down 8 of 11 and pushed its advantage out to 22 at 61-39.

With many of the starters out of the game, the Bears held a 37-point advantage at 88-51, with 4:08 left.

UNC Leader Scoring: Saint Thomas (20)
UNC Leader Rebounds: Saint Thomas (13)
UNC Leader Assists: Saint Thomas (5)
UNC Leader Steals: Dejour Reaves, Saint Thomas, Brock Wisne (1)
UNC Leader Blocks: Brock Wisne (1)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC improved to 11-7, including 4-1 in Big Sky play, while the Vikings dropped to 11-8, 2-4.
The Bears trail the all-time 17-23, including 17-17 in the Division I era.
UNC extended its winning streak to five straight over the Vikings, the Bears longest in series history.
In Greeley, the Bears improved to 9-11 against Portland State.
The 29-point series is the largest for the Bears this season and in the all-time series against Portland State.
UNC reached 90 p including four times the h time this season, including four times in the last seven games.
The Bears improved to 6-1 over the last seven contests.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 33 of 64 (51.6%) from the field, including 11 of 25 (44.0%) from 3-point range.
The Bears made 13 of 19 (68.4%) from the free-throw line.
UNC held the Vikings to 36.1% (22 of 61) from the field, including 13.6% 3 of 22 from distance.
Portland State connected on 14 of 18 (77.8%) at the charity stripe.
UNC outrebounded the Vikings 46-33, including 11-8 on the offensive glass.
They forced 10 turnovers and committed nine.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Saint Thomas tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and one steal.
- Ninth double-double of the season.
- Reached double-digit points for the 15th time this season, including the last six games.
- He reached 20 points for the 11th game this campaign, including the last six.
- Thomas collected at least 10 rebounds for the ninth time this season.
Brock Wisne totaled 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block.
- He went 5 of 8 from the field and leads the conference in shooting in league play.
- Wisne scored in double figures for the 12^th time in 18 games, including five straight.
Dejour Reaves recorded 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
- Reaves reached double figures for the 11th time this season and third straight game.
Riley Abercrombie netted 13 points, five boards and two assists.
- He reached double-digit scoring for the ninth time this season.
Zach Bloch scored nine points and four rebounds.
Jaron Rillie finished with five points, two boards and four assists.
Theo Hughes added five points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
Langston Reynolds chipped in with four points, six rebounds and one assist.
Mekhi Cameron dropped in five points.
Marcell McCreary registered three points and a pair of boards.
Jalen Page tallied two rebounds and one assist.
Juju Ramirez collected a rebound, with an assist.
Connor Creech snagged a rebound.

POINTS FROM:      UNC   PSU
Turnovers               13      13
In the Paint             38      30
Second Chance      14      8
Fast Break              2        6
Bench                     32      22

Next Game:
UNC travels to Cheney, Wash., for battle between the top two teams in the Big Sky. The Bears (11-7, 4-1) take on Eastern Washington (11-7, 5-0) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday, Jan. 25.

Next Home Game:
The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Feb. 1, when they open a four-game homestand. 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.