UNC rebounded from last Saturday’s loss to Eastern Washington with one of the best performances of the season in spoiling Montana’s coronation as the Big Sky regular season champs for a third straight year. The Bears led for all but 59 seconds in Missoula and held the Grizzlies scoreless for a five minute stretch of the second half in a 71-64 win.
Northern Colorado built the lead to 16 during that five minute time frame, chasing many of the nearly five thousand fans from the arena. They had come to celebrate the likelihood that the Griz would win at least a share of a third straight conference title, a feat that hasn’t occurred in 47 years in the Big Sky. But Jonah Radebaugh took over offensively, flashing his MVP credentials en route to 21 points, 6 rebounds and five assists, including two big treys during the time where UNC overcame the brief Montana lead.
With the win, UNC moves themselves into the #2 slot in the standings by virtue of sweeping Montana this season. Eastern Washington clinched a share of the conference title with a win over Idaho State and Montana falls into third place, with one game to play.
Northern Colorado closes the regular season Saturday at Montana State, a 4pm contest on 1310 KFKA.
HC Jeff Linder Post-game Interview