Big Second Half Lifts UNC over Idaho State

Monday, February 3

Pocatello, Idaho

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

17-6,9-1Big Sky

Idaho State

10-11,5-5Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho St.

2/3/2025 10:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)

UNC Off To Best Start Since 2009-10

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Isaiah Hawthorne, Jaron Rillie and Marcell McCreary accounted for 39 points in Northern Colorado's (17-6, 9-1 Big Sky) 50-point second half at Reed Gym Monday.

The Bears rode a 15-0 spurt in four minutes to a season sweep of Idaho State (10-11, 5-5 Big Sky), posting the best start since UNC opened with an 18-5 record in 2009-10. The Bears erased a six-point deficit and built a 57-48 advantage with 13:43 left in regulation.

Idaho State responded with 11-5 spurt and sliced the deficit to 63-59 but the Bengals failed to close to within one possession the rest of the way.

Brock Wisne finished in the paint and after 1 of 2 at the free-throw line by the Bengals, Zach Bloch extended the margin to eight with a triple.

The Bears outscored Idaho State 18-12 over the final six minutes for the final margin.

Idaho State shot 49% in the first 20 minutes and built a 41-36, despite UNC knocking down 59% from the field. In the second half, the Bears cranked up the defensive pressure, limiting the Bengals to 8 of 31 (26%) from the floor, while UNC remained hot. They hit 17 of 27 from the floor, including 7 of 11 from behind the arc.

Langston Reynolds netted his third career double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Reynolds hit 6 of 9 shot attempts, including both 3-point attempts.

Saddled by foul trouble, Hawthorne tallied 15 of his 19 points in the second half. He added four rebounds and two assists.

Rillie stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, six rebounds and a steal.

McCreary hit 5 of 6 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, tallying 13 points, three rebounds and an assist.

UNC outrebounded Idaho State 37-30 and held a 42-34 edge in the paint.

NEXT HOME GAME: UNC returns to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday at 6 p.m., when the Bears and Montana battle. The Bears hold the top mark in the Big Sky at 9-1, with the Grizzlies on their heels at 8-2.

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