OGDEN, Utah — Northern Colorado came tantalizingly close Tuesday to advancing to its first-ever Division I conference championship game. In the end, however, a furious comeback fell short as Montana survived 68-63 in the Big Sky Conference semifinals at the Dee Events Center.
“I thought, ‘Here we go again,’ ” said Montana’s Will Cherry, alluding to an earlier game that saw UNC erase a 17-point Montana lead.
The Bears used a flurry of 3-pointers to erase a 14-point lead with eight minutes to play. Yet, with the game on the line, UNC could not convert a much-needed 3.
“We had a great year,” Bears coach Tad Boyle said. “I still think we’ll be in postseason play. We’ve had too good of a year to have it end like this.”
Boyle may have appreciated his team’s historic season — the Bears’ 24 wins tied the school record — but he was less pleased when contemplating the final minutes and a questionable foul call on Yahosh Bonner with 1:20 to play.
Montana’s Anthony John- son, who led the Grizzlies with 19 points, converted both free throws to give the Grizzlies a 64-63 lead.
Will Figures, whose shooting helped bring UNC (24-7) back, was off target with a 3. Cherry then swished a twisting, high jumper inside the key with 24 seconds left to secure the game.
“I like the players to determine the game,” Boyle said.
But Boyle conceded that the taller Grizzlies’ dominance inside the paint was the ultimate difference. The Grizzlies (21-9) outrebounded Northern Colorado by 11. This included 13 offensive rebounds that led to 20 second-chance points.
“They manhandled us,” Boyle said. “We gave away a lot of size.”
Excluding a short spurt midway through the first half, the Bears were fighting from behind most of the game. Montana took a 57-43 lead late and looked to be in complete control.
Figures, who finished with a game-high 23 points, took over the game. His two 3s, and two more by Bonner and Chris Kaba, gave UNC a sense of destiny.
“We came into the huddle thinking we were going to win,” Figures said. “We needed one more stop. It just didn’t go our way.”
The Bears fell to 0-2 in Division I postseason games but may not be done this season. Boyle was hopeful that Northern Colorado could get a bid to the NIT and another chance at winning 25 games for the first time in school history.
This is just the third season the Bears have been eligible for the postseason since jumping to the top division.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
