BOZEMAN, Mont. — In an exhilarating comeback, Marcell McCreary led the Northern Colorado Bears with 21 points, while Langston Reynolds secured the victory with a crucial layup just four seconds before the final buzzer, resulting in a thrilling 83-82 win over Montana State on Thursday night.

Northern Colorado found themselves in a challenging position, trailing 63-43 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. However, they displayed remarkable resilience and determination to overturn the deficit. McCreary had an impressive shooting performance, going 8 for 11 from the field and 4 for 6 from three-point range. Isaiah Hawthorne contributed significantly, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Jaron Rillie also played a vital role, adding 15 points to the scoreboard, with 6 for 11 shooting including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc. This victory marks an important milestone for the Bears, improving their season record to 11-5 and maintaining their undefeated status in the Big Sky Conference at 3-0.

On the other side, the Montana State Bobcats faced their sixth consecutive loss, bringing their season record to 5-11 and 0-3 in conference play. Brandon Walker was the standout player for the Bobcats, scoring 20 points. Agbonkpolo also made his presence felt with a solid performance, contributing 16 points along with two steals and two blocks. Patrick McMahon added 13 points to the total, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win as the team struggled to maintain their advantage in the second half.

This game showcased the Bears’ tenacity and ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead in the Big Sky Conference.