Northern Colorado holds off late Hawaii comeback bid, 81-78
HONOLULU -- — Matt Johnson II hit a pair of free throws with four seconds left to allow Northern Colorado to hold off a furious Hawaii comeback bid and earn an 81-78 win Thursday night.
The Bears led by as many as 26 points in the second half, but the Warriors roared back and cut the deficit to a single point, 78-77 with :04 left when JoVon McClanahan hit two free throws.
Johnson was fouled on the in-bounds pass and pushed the Northern Colorado lead back to three points. Hawaii's Noel Coleman hit the first of two free throws to make it 80-78. Dalton Knecht hit the second of two free throws with a second left to make it 81-78. Hawaii got the ball with a second left but turned it over.
Daylen Kountz and Dru Kuxhausen each scored 21 points to lead Northern Colorado (2-0). Bodie Hume added 16 points and Kur Jongkuch grabbed 11 rebounds.
Jerome Desrosiers scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Hawaii (1-1). Kamaka Hepa, Bernardo da Silva and Noel Coleman each added 14 points.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Scyphers
- Andy Cohn
- Mark Fulton
2024-25 Big Sky Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Colorado | 6-0 | - | 14-5 |
| Montana | 5-2 | 1.5 | 12-8 |
| Portland State | 3-2 | 2.5 | 11-7 |
| Idaho State | 3-2 | 2.5 | 8-8 |
| Idaho | 3-3 | 3 | 8-11 |
| Montana State | 3-4 | 3.5 | 8-12 |
| Northern Arizona | 2-4 | 4 | 11-8 |
| Eastern Washington | 2-4 | 4 | 6-13 |
| Weber State | 1-4 | 4.5 | 7-12 |
| Sacramento State | 1-4 | 4.5 | 5-13 |
2024-25 Big West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 7-0 | - | 17-2 |
| UC San Diego | 5-2 | 2 | 15-4 |
| UC Davis | 5-3 | 2.5 | 11-8 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Cal State Northridge | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Hawai'i | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| UC Riverside | 4-3 | 3 | 11-8 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 3-4 | 4 | 9-10 |
| Long Beach State | 3-4 | 4 | 7-12 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 1-7 | 6.5 | 6-14 |
| Cal Poly | 0-8 | 7.5 | 6-14 |
Men's College Basketball News