(Editor's note: Montana State Athletics press release)
BOZEMAN -- Montana State and Northern Colorado played on even terms in the second half, but the Bears shot 50 percent from the field in the first half to jump out to a lead and eventually close out a 68-59 men's basketball victory over the Bobcats on Thursday at Bank of Colorado Arena.
MSU (8-6, 2-1 Big Sky) went 14-for-22 shooting (63.6 percent) in the second half and was led by Amin Adamu, who scored 14 of his career-high 26 points during the contest's final 20 minutes. The Bobcats and Bears traded baskets throughout the second half, as MSU was able to cut the deficit to four with 10:48 remaining on an Adamu jumper.
Northern Colorado responded. The Bears went on a six-point run to push the lead to 10, and despite MSU trimming the UNC edge down to six multiple times, the Bobcats were unable to break through. UNC had four offensive rebounds in the second half which led to seven points. The Bears committed just two turnovers in the final 20 minutes of play to pick up their first conference win of the season and improve to 8-5 overall.
Bodie Hume scored 11 points, which was capped by a 3-pointer at the buzzer, to put Northern Colorado up 36-26 at halftime. The Bears took advantage offensively early by hitting 14 of 28 shots in the game's opening 20 minutes, while five of their six 3-pointers came during that span.
Hume eventually scored 14 points. Jonah Radebaugh served as the Bears' top scorer with 17 and added four rebounds and two steals to his tally. Trent Harris joined them in double figures with 10 and Kai Edwards had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Montana State had two score in double digits. Adamu went 11 of 18 from the floor for the Bobcats and made all four of his free throw attempts. The junior guard also had six rebounds and four assists. Jubrile Belo recorded 13 points and had a team-high seven boards. Zeke Quinlan had seven points and six rebounds for MSU. The Bobcats shot just 9 of 26 from the floor in the first half and only connected on four 3-pointers.
The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, Jan. 4, when Montana State takes on Southern Utah at the America First Event Center at 2 p.m.
