Northern Colorado runs away in second half in 92-74 win over Idaho

Northern Colorado’s combo of Isaiah Hawthorne and Langston Reynolds proved too much for the Idaho Vandals men’s basketball team, which lost to the Bears 92-74 Saturday in Greeley, Colorado.

Hawthorne scored 25 points, and Reynolds added 21 as they combined to make 19 of 26 shots for the Bears, who improved to 21-8 overall and 13-3 in Big Sky Conference play. The Vandals fell to 12-16 (7-8 Big Sky).

Idaho led nearly the entire first half but trailed 48-47 at halftime.

Northern Colorado opened the second half with a 19-6 run that gave it a lead that never fell below 10 points.

For the second straight game, Tyler Linhardt led the Vandals in scoring, this time with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.

The Vandals host rival Idaho State on Thursday.

Women

Idaho 77, Northern Colorado 59: Senior Olivia Nelson scored a season-high 31 points and made 11 of 15 shots to lead the Vandals (17-9, 9-6 Big Sky) over the Bears (13-14, 6-10) in Moscow, Idaho.

Sophomore Hope Hassmann added 14 points for the Vandals, who shot 48% from the field and made a season-high 9 of 17 3-pointers. They also made 20 of 24 free throws.

Idaho, which sits in third place in the conference standings, stayed a game ahead of fourth-place Weber State and three games ahead of the three teams tied at 6-9: Idaho State, Montana and EWU.

The Vandals are on the road this week at Idaho State and Weber State.