COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's basketball team travels north to face the Northern Colorado Bears at 9 p.m. (CT) Friday at Bank of Colorado Arena.
TIPOFF COVERAGE
SERIES HISTORY
The Bears lead the series 1-0. The Cardinals fell to the Bears 90-63 in the matchup last season at the McDermott Center.
RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCE
Freshman guard Drew Lutz scored 16 points in the season-opener against Missouri, setting the record for most points scored by a freshman in their first game since UIW moved to Division I.
PROTECTING THE PERIMETER
In the opener against Missouri, UIW's three-point defense was outstanding. The Cardinals held the Tigers to just 22.6 percent shooting from behind the arc.
SOLID START FOR LARSSON
Freshman center Marcus Larsson started his first collegiate game and was second on the team in scoring with five points and three rebounds against Missouri.
VERSATILE TAYLOR
Sophomore guard Morgan Taylor contributed in a variety of ways in the opener, scoring four points and grabbing six rebounds to go with a team-high two assists and two steals.
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO
- Northern Colorado went 21-11 last season, finishing second in the Big Sky regular season standings.
- The Bears return four of their five starters from last season.
- UNC has the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Jonah Radebaugh, and Big Sky Freshman of the Year, Bodie Hume, back for the 2019-20 season.
- Head coach Jeff Linder earned the Big Sky Coach of the Year honor in 2018-19.
- The Bears lost their season opener to the Texas Longhorns, 69-45.
- Sophomore Sam Masten led the Bears with 11 points as the only UNC player to break double-figures.
- Jonah Radebaugh was Northern Colorado's leading rebounder as he pulled down 11 boards including three on the offensive end.
- The Bears struggled to find any rhythm offensively against the Longhorns, shooting 27.3 percent from the floor.
STAY TUNED
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook.
The UIW men's basketball team is on Twitter at @UIWMBB and Instagram at @uiwmensbasketball.
