UNC Grabs the No. 2 Seed on Final Day of BSC Play

Monday, March 4

Flagstaff, Ariz.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

19-12,12-6Big Sky

Northern Arizona

14-18,7-11Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Northern Ariz.

3/4/2024 11:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book Big Sky Men's Basketball Coach Smiley's Postgame Presser

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Colorado defeated Northern Arizona 82-74 at Findlay Toyota Court Monday.

On the final day of Big Sky Conference play, Saint Thomas registered his 12th double-double and scored in double figures for the 17th time in 18 games against league foes.

With the victory, UNC secured a share of second place, after preseason polls ranked the Bears eighth and ninth in the 10-team league. UNC, Weber State and Montana each entered with matching 11-6 records. The Bears and Montana State won, while Weber State fell on the road at Montana State – one game behind UNC and the Grizzlies. UNC secured the second seed by sweeping the two regular-season matchups against Montana State and Weber State fell to fourth.

UNC scored 12 of the final 18 points and opened a six-point gap at the intermission at 40-34. Leading 37-34, the Bears pushed their gap out to 14 at 48-34. They held the Lumberjacks scoreless for 7:20 of game time, spanning the final two minutes of the first half until 14:50 remaining.

The gap ballooned to 16, before Northern Arizona used an 11-0 spurt to close within five at 62-57, with 6:18 remaining. Over the next 85 seconds, the Bears stretched the league back to 11, with a pair of layups from Langston Reynolds and one by Theo Hughes. UNC kept the Lumberjacks at arm's length, never allowing the gap to close within eight points the rest of the way.

UNC Leader in Scoring: Saint Thomas (20)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Saint Thomas (10)
UNC Leader in Assists: Dejour Reaves, Saint Thomas (6)
UNC Leader in Steals: Dejour Reaves (4)
UNC Leader in Blocks: Theo Hughes (1)

TEAM AND SERIES NOTES

UNC improved to 19-12, including 12-6 in Big Sky play, while the Lumberjacks fell to 14-18, 7-11.
The Bears trail 24-16 in the all-time series, posting a 6-4 mark over the last 10 games.

Inside the Box

UNC shot 62.5% (35-56) from the field, including 2 of 9 (22.2%) from 3-point range.
Northern Arizona hit 29 of 60 (48.3%) of its attempts, including (6-23) 26.1% behind the arc.
The Bears made 10 of 12 (83.3%) free throws and Northern Arizona converted 10 of 13 (76.9%).
UNC tallied 19 assists, while the Lumberjacks handed out 16.
The Bears forced 12 turnovers and committed just five.
Northern Arizona led 31-25 in rebounds.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

Saint Thomas netted 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
- Reached double-digit points for the 28th time this season, including 19 straight contests.
- Recorded his 19th double-double of the season.
- Tallied at least 10 points in 17 of 18 games against Big Sky Conference foes.
Brock Wisne totaled 10 points and one assist.
- He reached double-digit scoring in 23 games, including 15 of 18 in Big Sky play, including six straight games.
Theo Hughes collected 11 points, with three rebounds and one block.
- He posted double-digit scoring for the third time on the campaign.
- Huges hit all five attempts from the floor and 1 of 2 at the free-throw line.
Jaron Rillie tallied nine points, three assists and one steal.
Riley Abercrombie accounted for two points, four rebounds and a steal.
Zach Bloch scored seven points, with two rebounds.
Dejour Reaves dropped in 15 points, with two rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Langston Reynolds added eight points, three assists and two steals.

POINTS FROM:      UNC   NAU
Turnovers               20      3
In the Paint           60      40
Second Chance      0        3
Fast Break              16      7
Bench                     34      17

Next Game
No. 2 UNC takes on the winner of Saturday's first round game between No. 7 Northern Arizona and No. 8 Idaho State at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 10 in Boise, Idaho.

2023-24 Big Sky Conference Final Standings