Spight, Johnson shine on senior night

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Spight, Johnson shine on Senior Night

By Adam Ide

Bear News Sportswriter

            Seniors Andre Spight and Anthony Johnson both turned in brilliant performances Saturday, leading the University of Northern Colorado men’s basketball team to a 97-80 win over Southern Utah.

            Spight, Johnson, Tyler Loose and Tanner Morgan were all honored in a pre-game ceremony before the final home game at Bank of Colorado Arena.

            Head coach Jeff Linder switched up the starting lineup for only the third time this season, starting all four seniors. The Bears’ lineup featured a bright piece of the future with freshman guard Jalen Sanders rounding out the starting five.

            “It was a great night for senior night,” Linder said. “I am really proud of how the team responded.”

            Spight had his second 40-point game of the season, coming within one of tying his own school record of 41. Johnson turned in one of his best performances of the season with 25 points. Sanders led the team with eight rebounds.

            “It just felt good,” Johnson said. “It is bittersweet being the last game in Butler, but it was good getting the win because it doesn’t always happen like that.”

            Northern Colorado started off slow again, trailing the Thunderbirds through the first 12 minutes of the game. Johnson led the team in the first, going five of eight from the field and three of six from deep. He led scoring with 17 and led UNC to a 38-33 lead at the half.

            “[I’ve] had senior night in high school and it is always a slow start,” Spight said. “It is not necessarily the same lineups or game plan coming into it right off the bat, but you have to get your feet under you.”

            The Bears came out of the locker room strong for the second straight game, extending their lead to double-digits in the first two minutes. They extended that lead to 17, but SUU wouldn’t go away, closing the gap to 11 with five minutes left.

            Northern Colorado held on and finished off Southern Utah.

            Spight continued his strong play at home, scoring over 30 in five of the last six games at The Bank.

            With the win, UNC improves to 18-10 on the season, 9-6 in Big Sky play. SUU falls to 10-15 overall, 4-10 conference.

            The Bears are on the road for the remainder of the regular season, with games against North Dakota, Portland State and Sacramento State. They will then head to Reno, Nevada for the Big Sky Conference Tournament, March 6-10.