Bears Overcome 20-Point Deficit at MSU

Thursday, January 9

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

11-5,3-0Big Sky

Montana State

5-11,0-3Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

1/10/2025 12:15:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)

By: Michael High, Assistan Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

BOZEMAN, Mont. – So, you say there's a chance?

Following a 3-pointer by Montana State (5-11, 0-3 Big Sky) at 12:45, Northern Colorado (11-5, 3-0) faced a 63-43 deficit and just a 15.7% chance of winning the game at Worthington Arena Thursday.

Marcell McCreary fueled the Bears rally, scoring 18 of his 21 points in the final 20 minutes, knocking down 7 of 8 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

UNC scored 43 points over the first 27 minutes but a triple by Isaiah Hawthorne with 12:31 left cut the margin to 17 and jumpstarted a 40-19 spurt to close out the victory.

McCreary's triple with 5:40 remaining capped a 31-10 run and pushed the Bears in front at 74-73. He buried his next attempt from distance on the next possession, extending the gap to the largest of the game for UNC at 77-73.

The teams swapped the lead six times over the final 4:32, with Langston Reynolds delivering the final four points for the Bears, including the final bucket with:04 showing. Reynolds posted the second-consecutive 1-point win for UNC on the Bears final shot in the waning seconds.

Hawthorne tallied 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Jaron Rillie stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and a steal. Reynolds netted 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a theft.

Brock Wisne and Egan Shields netted six points each, while Quinn Denker chipped in with five.

UP NEXT: UNC closes the two-game road trip at 4 p.m. Saturday in Missoula, Montana against Montana.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Bears return to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m., when they host Portland State.

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. TicketSmarter is the official resale marketplace of UNC athletics.

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