Men's basketball loses hard-fought game to Montana, 88-79

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UNC men’s basketball loses hard-fought game to Montana, 88-79

By Adam Ide

Bear News Sportswriter

The University of Northern Colorado men’s basketball team lost a hard fought game Thursday, falling to Montana 88-79 at Bank of Colorado Arena.

The Bears were led once again by senior guard Andre Spight, who had 32 points. Spight was perfect from the line, making all 11 of his free throws. That is good for ninth all-time in a single game.

Spight was asked if it’s frustrating to play a defense like Montana’s.

“It is not frustrating at all,” he said. “It’s basketball.”

Junior guard Jordan Davis had another strong game as well, picking up 19 points. He was asked about the Grizzlies’ physical play.

“It was real physical, but we knew they were going to play that way with two bigs,” he said. “We have to equal their toughness and their physicality for 40 minutes.”

The Grizzlies had four players in double figures, led by Fabijan Krslovic’s 21. Bobby Moorehead, Ahmaad Rorie and Jamar Akoh had 18, 17 and 13, respectively.

UM came in a perfect 9-0 in Big Sky play and showed why they are the top team in the conference. At one point in the first half, Montana led 25-10, due in large part to a 16-1 run.

“Give credit to Montana,” head coach Jeff Linder said. “The reason they are now 10-0 in the league is because they have the experience, and they are well coached, too.”

Northern Colorado started to catch up with just under 13 minutes left in the half. Freshman forward Matej Drgon hit a key three with seven minutes left in the half, which sparked a 27-12 run by the Bears to end the half. Spight decided to take the game into his own hands, scoring 12 of the 27.

The game went into the half with the score tied at 37.

The Grizzlies went on a seven to nothing run to start the second half to reclaim the lead, seemingly having an answer to every UNC score.

Spight did all he could to keep the game close, hitting a three with just under two minutes left. That cut the deficit to six, but would prove to be the final shot Northern Colorado would make, missing their last four.

The Bears still own an impressive 14-9 record on the season despite the loss. However, their Big Sky record now sits at an even 5-5.

UM improves to 17-5 on the season and are still undefeated in conference play.

UNC finishes the homestand Saturday as they take on Montana State at 2 p.m.