by GREELEY, Colo. – A late push helped force overtime, but the Idaho men (4-11, 1-3 BSC) eventually fell at Northern Colorado (9-5, 4-0 BSC), 83-79 on Saturday afternoon.
THE GAME
Idaho got out to a fast start and led by as many as nine in the first half. UNC’s Jordan Davis knocked down a 3-pointer late in the half to cut the Idaho advantage to 41-35 at the break.
The second half went back-and-forth throughout. The Bears got up, 70-65 at the final media timeout and looked to close things out at the line. The Vandals kept fighting, however, and were able to make it a one-point game after a layup from Scott Blakney with two minutes to play. Neither team was able to get much going the rest of the way, with UNC cashing in on one free throw with 18 seconds left. Trevon Allen (Umatilla Tribe) got a full head of steam going the other way and tied things up at 71. Jared Rodriguez got a steal on the other end but was forced into a very difficult shot at the buzzer that went begging.
Allen and the Bears traded buckets early in the overtime frame. The Bears got up, 82-79, with 16 seconds to play, giving Idaho one more chance to tie. The Vandals opted to go for two and lengthen the game, but couldn’t get the inside shots to fall. UNC would add one more free throw and take the 83-79 overtime win.
Rodriguez led the Vandals with 20 points and 11 rebounds, recording his second double-double of the season. Idaho shot 49.4 percent (30-of-61) from the floor and 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from beyond the arc. UNC won the rebound battle, 40-39.
THE NAME
Trevon Allen. Allen took some time to get going, but when he did he was on fire. Allen had just seven points in regulation, but doubled up with seven more in the overtime. Allen also added three assists to go along with seven boards.
