Greeley, CO (Sports Network) - Led by a double-double of 18 points and 10
rebounds from Derrick Barden, the Northern Colorado Bears downed the Southern
Utah Thunderbirds, 66-58, in a Big Sky Conference battle at Butler-Hancock
Sports Pavilion.
Tevin Svihovec added 14 points and Tate Unruh chipped in with 13 points for
the Bears (12-17, 10-10 Big Sky), who clinched a spot in their conference
tournament next week and cemented their status as no lower than a fifth seed.
Connor Osborne also added 11 points.
For the Thunderbirds (11-18, 8-11), Jackson Stevenett led all scorers with 25
points, as Southern Utah lost for the sixth time in the last seven outings.
Southern Utah still remains in the hunt for a Big Sky tournament bid, but the
loss put a damper on the Thunderbirds' hopes.
Northern Colorado connected on 54.5 percent of its field goal tries in the
opening stanza, as it took a 34-26 lead into intermission. Southern Utah was
held to just 39 percent shooting from the field, including 2-of-8 from 3-point
range.
In the second half, the Bears shot 45.8 percent from the field and the Aggies
made 43.8 percent. Both squads took eight 3-point attempts, with the Bears
making just one and the Aggies hitting on two. Ahead by only four, 52-48, with
just over eight minutes remaining. the Bears used an 8-2 run to finally pull
away and hold on for the victory.
Northern Colorado outscored Southern Utah, 36-24 in the paint and 17-4 at the
free-throw line.
GAME NOTES:
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