Vercellino, tough D late help Northern Colorado to 85-82 win
POCATELLO, Idaho -- With one second left, Roberto Vercellino stole an inbounds pass, denying Idaho State the chance of a final basket and Northern Colorado held onto an 85-82 win on Thursday night in the Big Sky Conference.
Vercellino, who played just four minutes in the second half, also blocked a potential tying shot with four seconds left. Jordan Davis led the Bears with 24 points, Andre Spight added 18. Northern Colorado (16-9, 7-5) shot 57 percent (30 of 53) and lost three players -- who scored a combined 26 points -- to fouls and two others were playing with four.
There were 58 fouls and 72 free throws in the game.
Neither team had a lead larger than 10 and Idaho State was trailing by eight with 1:39 to play when Brandon Boyd scored five points in a 7-1 rally that closed the gap to 83-81 in a minute.
The Bengals got the ball on a turnover with 16 seconds to go, but Vercellino blocked Boyd's attempt for a layup and then had the clinching steal.
Boyd scored 26 for the Bengals (10-12, 5-6), Geno Luzcando added 19.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Brent Meaux
- Jon Stigliano
- D.G. Nelson
2023-24 Big Sky Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Washington | 15-3 | - | 21-11 |
Montana | 12-6 | 3 | 24-12 |
Northern Colorado | 12-6 | 3 | 19-14 |
Weber State | 11-7 | 4 | 20-12 |
Montana State | 9-9 | 6 | 17-18 |
Portland State | 8-10 | 7 | 17-15 |
Northern Arizona | 7-11 | 8 | 14-19 |
Idaho State | 7-11 | 8 | 14-20 |
Idaho | 5-13 | 10 | 11-21 |
Sacramento State | 4-14 | 11 | 10-24 |