OGDEN, UTAH — Down by 14 points in the second half, Northern Colorado came roaring back to take a short-lived lead before losing to Montana 68-63 in today’s semifinal of the Big Sky tournament.
UNC’s Will Figures scored 23 points, including a 3-pointer with 3:48 to play to tie the game at 60. But trailing 64-63, Figures’ jumper with 58 seconds to play was off and Grizzlies’ freshman Will Cherry hit a jumper with 22 seconds (and 5 seconds on the possession clock) to play to take a 66-63 lead.
On the Bears’ ensuing possession, Figures’ pass was picked off and Montana was able to pull away with free throws.
UNC ends its season at 24-7, while Montana (21-7) will face the winner of the Weber State-Portland State in Wednesday’s Big Sky title game and an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Anthony Johnson scored 19 points and Will Cherry scored 10, including a jumper with 24 seconds left to lead Montana. The Brizzlies scored the final six points in the game.
Montana last won the Big Sky tournament in 2006.
Ryan Staudacher also finished with 10 points and Derek Selvig and Vassy Banny pulled down eight rebounds apiece for Montana, which outrebounded the Bears 36-25.
Yahosh Bonner’s 3-pointer with about 1:45 left put Northern Colorado up 63-62, but Johnson put Montana right back up with two foul shots and Cherry’s jumper all but clinched it.
The Bears fell to 0-2 in Division I postseason games. This is just the third season Northern Colorado has been eligible since moving up to the top division and the Bears nearly had this one.
