Thomas Narrowly Misses Triple Double in Rout of Idaho

Saturday, January 27

Moscow, Idaho

3 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

12-8,5-2Big Sky

Idaho

7-13,1-6Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho

1/27/2024 7:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)Updated Season Stats Updated Season Stats - BSC Only

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

MOSCOW, Idaho – Saint Thomas narrowly missed a triple double as Northern Colorado sacked Idaho 89-68 at ICCU Arena Saturday.

Thomas finished with game highs in points (20), rebounds (13), assists (8) and steals (3).

Dejour Reaves netted 18 points, while Brock Wisne tallied 13 and Riley Abercrombie added a dozen.

Leading 23-21 with 8:13 until halftime, Wisne sparked a 15-3 spurt when he deposited a layup on an assist by Reaves. Abercrombie's triple with 5:33 ended the run, with the last eight by the Bears, pushing their margin out to 38-24.

Idaho responded with 15 of the next 15 points, trimming the deficit to one with less than a minute before intermission. Thomas drained a 3-pointer with five seconds on the clock, bumping the cushion up to 43-39 at the break.

The Vandals answered every bucket by UNC through the first seven minutes in the final period and cut the gap to one at 55-54, with 13:12 left. The Bears shook free for good with 20 of the next 24 points, spreading the gap to their largest at 79-58, with 7:29 remaining. In a one-minute span, Reaves went on an 8-0 run of his own.

Head coach Steve Smiley emptied his bench with 3:57 remaining and the Bears maintained at least a 19-point gap the rest of the way.

UNC Leader Scoring: Saint Thomas (20)
UNC Leader Rebounds: Saint Thomas (13)
UNC Leader Assists: Saint Thomas (8)
UNC Leader Steals: Saint Thomas (3)
UNC Leader Blocks: Saint Thomas, Brock Wisne (1)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC improved to 12-8 overall, including 5-2 in Big Sky play, while the Vandals fell to 7-13, 1-6.
The Bears lead the all-time series 12-5, including 7-3 in Moscow, Idaho.
UNC won eight of its last 10 games, including 6-2 in January.
Idaho dropped its seventh-straight game.
The 21-point margin of victory matched the third largest in the series, all by the Bears.
UNC registered the third most points by the Bears and the fourth highest total in the series.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 57.1% (36-63) from the field, knocking down 11 of 27 (40.7%) from 3-point range.
Idaho went 26 of 56 (46.4%) from the field, including 44.0% (11-25) from distance.
The Bears made all six of their attempts at the free-throw line, while Idaho hit 62.5% (5-8).
UNC outrebounded the Vandals 38-21, with a 10-4 edge on the offensive glass.
The Bears turned the ball over nine times and forced 10 miscues by Idaho.
UNC distributed 20 assists on 36 made buckets (55.6%), while the Vandals handed out eight on 26 baskets (30.8%).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Saint Thomas tallied 20 points, 13 rebounds, a career-high eight assists, three steals and a block.
- He upped his season average to 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
- Registered his 11th double-double of the season.
- Reached double-digit points for the 17th time this season, including eight-straight.
- He posted at least 20 points for the 12th game this campaign, including the last seven.
- Thomas collected at least 10 rebounds for the 11th time this season.
Dejour Reaves recorded 18 points off the bench, two rebounds and two helpers.
- Registered at least 10 points in 13 of 18 games, including four of the last five.
Brock Wisne totaled 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
- Finished in double-digits in 14 of 20 games this season, including six of last seven.
Jaron Rillie netted nine points, with two rebounds and three assists.
Riley Abercrombie tallied 12 points, two boards and a pair of assists.
- Tallied second double-digit scoring performance in last three games, 10 on the season.
Langston Reynolds accrued six points, two boards, two assists and one steal.
Zach Bloch scored five points, with two rebounds and one assist.
Theo Hughes chipped in two points and two rebounds.
Connor Creech added a pair of free throws, with two rebounds.
Juju Ramirez dropped in two points and grabbed a board.
Marcell McCreary collected a pair of boards.
Mekhi Cameron and Jalen Page logged game action.

POINTS FROM:       UNC   Idaho
Turnovers                14        13
In the Paint              40        26
Second Chance      10        5
Fast Break               11        10
Bench                      30        27

Next Home Game:
The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Feb. 1, against Idaho State at 6 p.m., 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.