Northern Colorado's balanced offense and strong performances from its top players propelled the team to a 69-61 win over Idaho State at Reed Gym. The Bears, led by Brock Wisne's 17 points and 8 rebounds, controlled the tempo of the game from the start, taking a 36-34 lead into halftime. Idaho State's Caleb Van De Griend had a notable performance, recording 13 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bears' depth.
Caleb Van De Griend's 12 Rebounds Mark His 5th Double-Digit Rebounding Performance of the Season
The first half saw both teams trade baskets, with Northern Colorado's Ring Nyeri and Quinn Denker contributing to the Bears' early lead. Nyeri finished with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Denker added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Idaho State's Evan Otten and Connor Hollenbeck provided sparks off the bench, scoring 11 and 9 points, respectively. However, the Bengals struggled to contain Northern Colorado's offense, which shot consistently throughout the game.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
In the second half, Northern Colorado extended its lead, outscoring Idaho State 33-27. The Bears' defense also stiffened, holding the Bengals to just 27 points in the final 20 minutes. Van De Griend's double-double was a bright spot for Idaho State, but the team's inability to contain Northern Colorado's top scorers ultimately decided the outcome.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Northern Colorado winning by 1.9 points, and while the actual margin was larger than expected, the Bears' victory was still in line with the forecast. The 8-point win gives Northern Colorado a crucial conference victory, improving its record to 15-10.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. As a Q3 win for Northern Colorado, it bolsters the Bears' chances of earning a postseason berth. With a current net ranking of 159, Northern Colorado want to build on this momentum in its remaining games. For Idaho State, the loss drops its record to 10-15, and as a Q3 loss, it doesn't severely damage the Bengals' resume, but it does make their path to the tournament more challenging.