Rillie Good Night for the Bears

Wednesday, January 3

Grand Forks, N.D.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

7-6,1-0Big Sky

North Dakota

8-8,0-2Summit League

Northern Colo.

North Dakota

1/3/2024 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)Updated Season Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Jaron Rillie's career-high 30 points fueled Northern Colorado's 97-87 victory over North Dakota at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center Wednesday.

Trailing 13-7 just four and a half minutes into the game, the Bears ran off 21 of the next 36 points and pulled even at 28, with 8:18 left before intermission.

Saint Thomas, who finished with 21 points and 12 boards, hit a 3-pointer and changed the lead for the final time with 2:19 remaining in the half. The Bears carried a 51-49 advantage into the locker room.

Zach Bloch tallied 13 points on 2 of 3 from the field, hitting both of his attempts beyond the arc and sinking all seven free-throw attempts.

Over the final 20 minutes, UNC never trailed and built its largest lead at 15, with 3:12 left on the clock. The Bears withstood a furious late rally by North Dakota, knocking down their final six attempts at the charity stripe, including 4 for 4 by Bloch.

QUOTE FROM COACH
"Tonight was another great team effort and we are incredibly proud of our team," head coach Steve Smiley said. "This is a difficult place to win at and to do it without a couple of our guys. I could not be prouder of how well the team stepped up collectively to get it done. Our entire staff is excited about the direction in which we are heading."

UNC Leader Scoring: Jaron Rillie (30)
UNC Leader Rebounds: Saint Thomas (23)
UNC Leader Assists: Jaron Rillie (4)
UNC Leader Blocks: NA
UNC Leader Steals: Brock Wisne (2)

Team and Series Notes

UNC improved to 7-6 overall, while the Fighting Hawks dropped to 8-8.
The Bears earned 1.5 points for the Big Sky in the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.
UNC improved to 26-45 in the all-time series, including three straight victories over the Fighting Hawks.
The Bears extended their winning streak to three, the longest of the season.

Inside the Box

The Bears made 37 of 59 (62.7%) from the field, including 8 of 13 (61.5%) from behind the arc.
UNC shot over 60% for the second straight game and just the fifth time in the Smiley era.
The Bears held a 36-24 advantage in rebounds, including 8-7 on the offensive glass.
UNC made 15 of 18 at the free-throw line, while the Fighting Hawks converted 18-21.
The Bears led by as many as 15 and trailed by no more than seven.
The teams combined for five lead changes – all in the first half – and six ties.
UNC led 21:18 and trailed 15 minutes and 35 seconds, with the game tied 3:07.

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

Individual Notes

Jaron Rillie tallied 30 points, four rebounds and four assists.
- Set a season-high for the third-straight game and a career-high.
- Hit 12 of 16 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range and 4 of 5 from the line.
Saint Thomas notched his sixth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
- He reached double-digits for the 10th time this season and sixth with at least 20 points.
- Thomas added one assist and a steal.
Zach Bloch scored 13 points, two boards and an assist.
He recorded his third double-digit scoring game of the campaign and second in a row.
Riley Abercrombie chipped in with eight points and five rebounds.
Brock Wisne accounted for seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Langston Reynolds netted seven points, with four rebounds and an assist.
Juju Ramirez totaled six points, one rebound and an assist.
Mekhi Cameron dropped in a triple, with one rebound.

POINTS FROM       UNC   UND
Turnovers               9        14
In the Paint             44      30
Second Chance      14      6
Fast Break              10      11
Bench                     16      4

Next Game: The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday, Jan. 6 at 6 p.m., following the women's basketball game at 2 p.m. Both the men and women take on Denver at 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.