UNC Suffers Frustrating Loss at Weber State

Thursday, February 29

Ogden, Utah

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

17-12,10-6Big Sky

Weber State

19-10,10-6Big Sky

OT 1

Northern Colo.

Weber St.

3/1/2024 12:16:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book Coach Smiley Postgame Presser Season Stats Season Stats - BSC Only

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

OGDEN, Utah – Northern Colorado suffered a hard-fought road battle against Weber State at Dee Events Center Thursday.

Jaron Rillie led three Bears in double-digit scoring, finishing with 23 points on 8 of 10 from the field. Saint Thomas notched his 17th double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds. He fell three assists shy of his first career triple-double. Brock Wisne hit 7 of 8 from the floor, totaling 15 points.

In an evenly matched contest, where neither side led by more than two possessions in 45 minutes of action, Weber State went to the free-throw line 26 times converting 20. The Bears made seven of their 11 attempts and committed 24 fouls while drawing just 15.

A 10-0 run by the Bears over four minutes, turned a six-point deficit into a 71-65 advantage with 52 seconds remaining. Weber State evened the score with seven seconds left in regulation. Rillie took the inbounds pass and drove the length of the court, pulling up in the paint and his floater hit nothing but net with less than one tick left. However, the officials waved off the shot and whistled Rillie for an offensive foul when the official deemed Rillie touched the defender on his way down.

In overtime, Rillie tallied all 10 points for UNC and had the ball in his hand with his team down two with eight seconds left. His drive to the hole went array when Dillon Jones slapped him on the wrist on a potential game-tying basket, with the ball flying out of bounds. After an official review, Weber State gained possession. On the ensuing inbounds play, Weber State went to the line after being fouled and iced the game with two attempts at the stripe.

UNC Leader in Scoring: Jaron Rillie (23)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Saint Thomas (12)
UNC Leader in Assists: Saint Thomas (7)
UNC Leader in Steals: Jaron Rillie (2)
UNC Leader in Blocks: NA

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC fell to 17-12, including 10-6 in Big Sky play, while the Wildcats improved to 19-10, 10-6.
The Bears trail 11-25 in the all-time series, including 5-5 over the last 10 games.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 55.0% (33-60) from the field, including 8 of 19 (42.1%) from 3-point range.
Weber State hit 29 of 68 (42.6%) of its attempts, including (7-30) 23.3% behind the arc.
The Bears made 7 of 11 (63.6%) free throws and Weber State converted 20 of 26 (76.9%).
Both squads dished out 16 dimes.
The Bears trailed 34-38 in rebounds, including 4-12 on the offensive glass.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Jaron Rillie tallied 23 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
- Finished in double-digit scoring for the 26th time in his career, including 12 this season.
Saint Thomas netted 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
- Reached double-digit points for the 26th time this season, including 17 straight contests.
- Recorded his 17th double-double of the season.
Brock Wisne totaled 15 points, one rebound, two assists and one steal.
- He went 7 of 8 from the field, including his lone attempt from 3-point range.
- Recorded double-digit scoring in 21 games, including 13 of his last 15.
Dejour Reaves dropped in seven points, with three rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Theo Hughes collected five points, with eight rebounds and one assist.
Langston Reynolds added four points, five rebounds and two assists.
Zach Bloch scored three points, with one rebound, one assist and one steal.
Riley Abercrombie accounted for seven points and one steal.

POINTS FROM:      UNC   WSU
Turnovers              12      23
In the Paint            40      42
Second Chance     5        10
Fast Break             10      21
Bench                              16      4

Next Game
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.