UNC Falls in Overtime at Portland State

Thursday, February 15

Portland, Ore.

8 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Portland State

2/15/2024 11:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)Season Stats Season Stats - BSC Only Coach Smiley Postgame Press Conference

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – Northern Colorado fell in overtime 82-72 against Portland State at Viking Pavilion in Big Sky play Thursday.

Dejour Reaves paced the Bears with a game-high 27 points. Saint Thomas collected his league-leading 16th double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Jaron Rillie led the way with seven assists.

UNC started slowly on the offensive end in each half in regulation but never recovered after allowing the first six points in the extra period.

The Bears scored just five points through the first seven and a half minutes into the game and trailed 22-5. They found their offense and closed the deficit down to 10 at 42-32 as the teams went to break.

Portland State started strong, scoring the first 11 points of the second half and built a 21-point cushion with 16:21 remaining in regulation. UNC ran off 31 of the next 40 points and grabbed its first lead of the game with 2:57 on the clock when Riley Abercrombie finished with a jumper in the paint. Reaves forced the extra period when he hit a triple with :03 left.

Rillie's layup midway through the extra five minutes sliced the gap to four. The Vikings pushed the margin back to seven with a 3-pointer on the next possession. On the Bears' next trip down the court, they connected on two of four free throws for their final tallies of the night.

UNC Leader Scoring: Dejour Reaves (27)
UNC Leader Rebounds: Saint Thomas (14)
UNC Leader Assists: Jaron Rillie (7)
UNC Leader Steals: Dejour Reaves, Saint Thomas (2)
UNC Leader Blocks: Saint Thomas (3)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC dropped to 15-10, including 8-4 in Big Sky play, while the Vikings moved to 15-11, 6-7.
The teams split the season series, with each side winning on their home floor.
UNC fell to 17-24 in the all-time series, including 17-18 in the Division I era.
The Bears won five of the last six contests against Portland State.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 37.2% (29-78) from the field, including 8 of 30 (26.7% from 3-point range.
PSU hit 27 of 73 (37.0) of its attempts, including (11-37) 29.7% behind the arc.
The Bears made 6 of 13 from the free-throw line, while PSU converted 17 of 20.
Both sides collected 49 rebounds, with UNC holding a 21-15 edge on the offensive glass.
UNC held a 15-14 advantage in assists, with each squad rejecting four shots.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Dejour Reaves dropped in 27 points, with five rebounds and two steals.
- Reaves recorded his 16th double-digit scoring game, with six 20-point performances.
- Reached 20 points in each of the last three games.
Saint Thomas netted 14 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
- Reached double-digit points for the 22nd time this season, including 13 straight.
- Netted his 16th double-double, the eighth in his last 10 games.
Jaron Rillie totaled seven points, nine rebounds, seven assists and one steal.
- Set a career and season-high with the nine boards.
- Handed out at least five assists in 10 games.
Langston Reynolds added eight points, four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.
Riley Abercrombie accounted for seven points, three boards and three assists
- Set a season high with the three assists – one shy of a career-high.
Zach Bloch scored three points, with two rebounds, one assists and one steal.
Brock Wisne totaled four points and five rebounds.
Theo Hughes chipped in with two points and one rebound.

POINTS FROM:       UNC   PSU
Turnovers                8          9
In the Paint              42        26
Second Chance      16        18
Fast Break               7          13
Bench                      37        13

Up Next
UNC closes the two-game road trip at 3 p.m. MT Saturday at Sacramento State.

Next Home Game
The Bears put a bow on the 2023-24 home slate with a two-game homestand, beginning Thursday, Feb. 22, against Idaho. UNC hosts league-leading Eastern Washington Saturday, Feb. 24. Both games tip at 6 p.m. 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.