FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bears ready for Rangers Friday night
Northern Colorado men’s basketball hosts Regis Friday Night
By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com
Game Notes Attached
GREELEY, Colo. – Forty-eight hours after securing their first win of the 2020-21 season Northern Colorado men’s basketball is ready to keep the train rolling when Regis comes to town Friday night. The Bears look to improve to 2-0 on the year with the 6:30 pm tip-off.
Opening Tip
– Northern Colorado opened the 2020-21 season with an impressive 87-62 win over Colorado Christian on Wednesday.
-The win was the first DI head coaching win for head coach Steve Smiley who was named the program’s 20th head coach in March.
– Junior Bodie Hume recorded his first career double-double in the game with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
– Two other Bears were a rebound shy of a double-double in Sam Masten and Kur Jockuch. Masten finished the night with 13 points and nine rebounds while Jockuch had 14 points and nine boards.
– All five starters finished the night in double figures scoring for UNC.
– Five newcomers made their debut in the Blue & Gold on Wednesday night in Daylen Kountz, Theo Hughes, Bryce Kennedy, Greg Bowie II and Malcolm Little.
– Regis will be playing their second game of a back-to-back on Friday night after facing off against Colorado School of Mines Thursday.
– This is the first time the Bears and Rangers have faced each other in a regular season game since UNC became a Division I member.
– UNC is looking to start the year 2-0 for the first time since 2018-19.
Scouting the Rangers
Regis’s stamina will be challenged on Friday night in their second game of a back-to-back. RU will be coming off a game against Colorado School of Mines Thursday.
The Rangers have found a way to fill up the basket averaging 78.0 points. The duo of Brian Dawson and Will Cranston-Lown are scoring 25.0 and 17.0 points per game.
Around the Big Sky
A few Big Sky games have already been played this season with Southern Utah and Sacramento State sitting atop the standings at 2-0. SUU earned a pair of hard-fought wins over Montana to open the Big Sky season.
What’s Ahead
Northern Colorado starts a trip around the front range on Monday when they travel to Boulder to face former UNC head coach Tad Boyle and the Buffaloes at 7 pm.
To stay up to date on all things UNC Men’s Basketball, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.
Ryan Pfeifer
Director of Strategic Communication
O: 970-351-3645 | C: 720-290-8886
#Bears Strong | @Rpfeifer82
