UNC Keeps Pace in Race for No. 2 Seed

Saturday, March 2

Pocatello, Idaho

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

18-12,11-6Big Sky

Idaho State

12-18,7-10Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho St.

3/2/2024 11:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book Season Stats Season Stats - BSC Only

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

POCATELLO, Idaho – Northern Colorado earned a critical road win over Idaho State 81-79 at Reed Gym Saturday.

The Bears (18-12, 11-6 Big Sky) kept pace with Weber State and Montana – with both winning earlier in the day – for the number two seed in the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Weber State and UNC face road challenges Monday, while Montana hosts Idaho State. The Wildcats travel to Montana State, while the Bears close at Northern Arizona.

Saint Thomas and Jaron Rillie each chased their first-career triple-double and helped the Bears to the victory. Thomas finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and matched his career-high with eight assists. Rillie added 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Brock Wisne recorded 13 points on 6 of 7 from the floor, with his lone miss from 3-point range.

Despite seven ties and eight lead changes, UNC held the advantage for 32:45, while the Bengals held the advantage for 3:08.

The Bears knocked down 64.0% (16 of 25) from the floor in the first 20 minutes of action, including 6 of 11 (54.5%) from beyond the arc and went to the locker room with a 41-38 advantage.

They hit 14 of 25 attempts in the second half and made enough stops on the defensive end to hold on for the triumph.

After a three by the Bengals sliced the gap to 79-77, with 28 ticks left, Idaho State needed two fouls before sending UNC to the line. Dejour Reaves earned the second foul and calmly stepped to the line for a one-and-one. He drained both and pushed the margin out to a two-possession game with eight seconds left.

UNC Leader in Scoring: Saint Thomas (28)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Saint Thomas (12)
UNC Leader in Assists: Saint Thomas (8)
UNC Leader in Steals: Jaron Rillie (3)
UNC Leader in Blocks: Theo Hughes, Langston Reynolds, Saint Thomas and Brock Wisne (1)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC improved to 18-12, including 11-6 in Big Sky play, while the Bengals fell to 12-18, 7-10.
The Bears trail 27-37 in the all-time series, posting a 7-3 mark over the last 10 games.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 60.0% (30-50) from the field, including 10 of 20 (50.0%) from 3-point range.
Idaho State hit 29 of 60 (48.3%) of its attempts, including (8-22) 36.4% behind the arc.
The Bears made 11 of 13 (84.3%) free throws and Idaho State converted 13 of 18 (72.2%).
UNC tallied 17 assists, while the Bengals handed out 16.
The Bears outrebounded Idaho State 29-20, including five on the offensive glass for each side.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Saint Thomas netted 28 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block.
- Reached double-digit points for the 27th time this season, including 18 straight contests.
- Recorded his 18th double-double of the season.
- Matched his season and career-high in assists.
Brock Wisne totaled 13 points, five rebounds, one assist and one block.
- He went 6 of 7 from the field, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range.
- Recorded double-digit scoring in 22 games, including 13 of his last 15.
Jaron Rillie tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
- Finished in double-digit scoring for the 27th time in his career, including 13 this season.
Riley Abercrombie accounted for nine points and one rebound.
- He went 3 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range.
Zach Bloch scored six points, with one rebound and two assists.
Theo Hughes collected six points, with one rebound and one block.
Dejour Reaves dropped in six points, with a steal.
- He sank all four free-throw attempts.
Langston Reynolds added two points, two rebounds and one block.

POINTS FROM:      UNC   ISU
Turnovers              12      24
In the Paint            40      40
Second Chance     6        5
Fast Break             12      9
Bench                     14      5

BIG SKY OUTLOOK

The top six teams earn a first-round bye.
The top two seeds need to win three games in four days, while seeds three through six must win three games in three days.
The Bears kept pace with Montana and Weber State, with the three teams tied for second in the league at 11-6, with one game remaining.
Eastern Washington won the regular-season championship and the number-one seed.
UNC, Montana and Weber State claimed a top-four seed.
- If Weber State defeats Montana State Monday, the Wildcats earn the second seed.
- If the teams end in a three-way tie, Weber State earns the two seed, with UNC claiming third and Montana fourth.
- The Bears take second with a win and Weber State loss.
- UNC earns the three seed with a win, and a win by Weber State.
- The Bears clinch third with a Weber State win and a Montana loss.
- UNC finishes fourth with a loss and a Montana win.
- Montana State locked into the fifth seed.
- Idaho State, Portland State and Northern Arizona tied for sixth.
- Idaho locked into the ninth seed.
- Sacramento State locked into number 10.