University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, November 14
Rapid City, SD
2 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
vs
South Dakota State
Photo by: Ally McCutchen
11/13/2026 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado plays its first neutral-site game of the season Saturday, meeting South Dakota State at the Monument, where the Bears beat the Jackrabbits 78-69 the last time the two met. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. MST.
The Bears (2-1) bring a 2-0 home record and a pair of 100-point performances into the matchup. After opening with a 117-64 win over Colorado College on Nov. 2, Northern Colorado fell at Arizona State before rolling past Northern New Mexico 102-52 on Tuesday. The Bears have shot better than 60 percent from the field in both home games and have scored at least 100 points in consecutive home games for the first time since 2002.
Balanced Scoring
Six Bears reached double figures against Northern New Mexico, and the ball movement has been the story of the young season. Andrew Crawford posted his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes, and Langston Reynolds added 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists on 6-of-7 shooting.
Vincent Delano is averaging 10.0 points and 5.6 assists, and Kaidon Rayfield is at 10.0 points with a 50.0 percent mark from three. Jeremiah Hammond, Manning Shareef, and Steven Ramirez Jr. each scored 11 off the bench Tuesday, and Campbell Blogg stuffed the stat sheet with four points, five rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.
Turnovers remain the one area Smiley has flagged. The Bears gave the ball away 18 times against Northern New Mexico, which he called the lone negative on an otherwise productive night.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
South Dakota State (3-0) opened the season with a 68-66 win at Kansas State on Nov. 3, then beat Briar Cliff (Iowa) 71-49 and Valparaiso 81-69. The Jackrabbits went to Rapid City two seasons ago and lost to the Bears, part of why Smiley's team holds a 1-0 edge in the series under his watch.
Jon Mekonnen leads South Dakota State at 14.7 points per game on 59.4 percent shooting, adding 3.7 rebounds. Joe Sayler averages 13.3 points and 2.0 steals, Kalen Garry adds 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, and Davis Kern contributes 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent from three. The Jackrabbits shoot 44.9 percent as a team and hold a plus-12.0 scoring margin, forcing 14.7 turnovers per game while committing 10.0.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Roundball Club
Your support of the Roundball Club helps UNC Men's Basketball prepare for the challenges of a competitive season. Gifts contribute to important program needs, including equipment, nutrition, training and travel, helping our student-athletes grow on and off the court. Together, we can help the Bears continue building momentum.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
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The Bears (2-1) bring a 2-0 home record and a pair of 100-point performances into the matchup. After opening with a 117-64 win over Colorado College on Nov. 2, Northern Colorado fell at Arizona State before rolling past Northern New Mexico 102-52 on Tuesday. The Bears have shot better than 60 percent from the field in both home games and have scored at least 100 points in consecutive home games for the first time since 2002.
Balanced Scoring
Six Bears reached double figures against Northern New Mexico, and the ball movement has been the story of the young season. Andrew Crawford posted his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes, and Langston Reynolds added 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists on 6-of-7 shooting.
Vincent Delano is averaging 10.0 points and 5.6 assists, and Kaidon Rayfield is at 10.0 points with a 50.0 percent mark from three. Jeremiah Hammond, Manning Shareef, and Steven Ramirez Jr. each scored 11 off the bench Tuesday, and Campbell Blogg stuffed the stat sheet with four points, five rebounds, seven assists and two blocks.
Turnovers remain the one area Smiley has flagged. The Bears gave the ball away 18 times against Northern New Mexico, which he called the lone negative on an otherwise productive night.
Scouting the Jackrabbits
South Dakota State (3-0) opened the season with a 68-66 win at Kansas State on Nov. 3, then beat Briar Cliff (Iowa) 71-49 and Valparaiso 81-69. The Jackrabbits went to Rapid City two seasons ago and lost to the Bears, part of why Smiley's team holds a 1-0 edge in the series under his watch.
Jon Mekonnen leads South Dakota State at 14.7 points per game on 59.4 percent shooting, adding 3.7 rebounds. Joe Sayler averages 13.3 points and 2.0 steals, Kalen Garry adds 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, and Davis Kern contributes 12.0 points and 5.7 rebounds while shooting 46.2 percent from three. The Jackrabbits shoot 44.9 percent as a team and hold a plus-12.0 scoring margin, forcing 14.7 turnovers per game while committing 10.0.
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Roundball Club
Your support of the Roundball Club helps UNC Men's Basketball prepare for the challenges of a competitive season. Gifts contribute to important program needs, including equipment, nutrition, training and travel, helping our student-athletes grow on and off the court. Together, we can help the Bears continue building momentum.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).
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