Bears Drop Hard-Fought Battle with Eagles

Saturday, February 24

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

17-11,10-5Big Sky

Eastern Washington

18-10,12-3Big Sky

Eastern Wash.

Northern Colo.

2/24/2024 11:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado suffered a hard-fought setback against Eastern Washington at Bank of Colorado Saturday.

Dejour Reaves led four Bears in double figures with 21 points. Saint Thomas continued his stretch of double-digit scoring with 16. Brock Wisne tallied 12 and Jaron Rillie finished with 10.

Before the final home contest of the campaign, the UNC coaching staff, UNC Athletics Director Darren Dunn and UNC President Andy Feinstein honored four members of the squad on senior night.

Riley Abercrombie, Theo Hughes, Jalen Page and Rillie were honored for their contributions on and off the court to the team, the athletics department, the university and the local community
Trailing 76-72 with 2:51 remaining, UNC went cold from the field and Eastern Washington pulled away.

UNC missed five of its final six shots, scoring two points on a layup and two at the free-throw line. Eastern Washington went 3 of 3 from the field and converted all four opportunities at the charity stripe.

UNC Leader in Scoring: Dejour Reaves (21)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Saint Thomas (9)
UNC Leader in Assists: Jaron Rillie (4)
UNC Leader in Steals: Saint Thomas (3)
UNC Leader in Blocks: Saint Thomas (2)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC fell to 17-11, including 10-5 in Big Sky play, while the Eagles improved to 18-10, 12-3.
The Bears dropped their third-straight game at home in the series and third consecutive overall.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 40.0% (28-70) from the field, including 6 of 24 (25.0%) from 3-point range.
Eastern Washington hit 30 of 61 (52.5%) of its attempts, including (9-24) 37.5% behind the arc.
The Bears made 14 of 16 (87.5%) at the free-throw line, while Eastern Washington converted 12 of 15 (80.0%).
UNC dished out 11 assists on 28 made buckets, while the Eagles handed out 14 on 30 buckets.
The Bears trailed 36-37 in rebounds but outrebounded Eastern Washington 11-5 on the offensive glass.
UNC rejected two field-goal attempts, while Eastern Washington blocked three.
The Bears forced eight turnovers, including four steals, while turning the ball over four times, with two by steal.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Dejour Reaves dropped in 21 points and seven rebounds.
- Reaves recorded his 19th double-digit scoring game, including six straight games.
- He tallied at least 20 points for the eighth time this season, including five of the last six.
- Matched season and career high with seven rebounds.
Saint Thomas netted 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
- Reached double-digit points for the 25th time this season, including 16 straight contests.
Brock Wisne totaled 12 points, six rebounds and one assist.
- Recorded double-digit scoring in 20 games, including 12 of his last 15.
Jaron Rillie tallied 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal.
- Finished in double-digit scoring for the 25th time in his career, including 11 this season.
Zach Bloch scored six points and three rebounds.
Theo Hughes collected two points and one rebound.
Langston Reynolds added seven points, two rebounds and two assists.
Riley Abercrombie accounted for two points, one board and one assist.

POINTS FROM:      UNC   EWU
Turnovers              11        6
In the Paint            40       30
Second Chance    11        6
Fast Break             22       12
Bench                    30       17

Next Game
The Bears close the 2023-24 campaign with a three-game road swing. They open the trip at Weber State Thursday, Feb. 29 in Ogden, Utah. Following the clash with the Wildcats, UNC heads to Idaho State Saturday, March 2, before the finale at Northern Arizona Monday, March 4. The first game tips at 7 p.m., with the final two contests starting at 6 p.m.