Nov. 26, 2002

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GREELEY, Colo. - University of Northern Colorado head coach Craig Rasmuson won his 100th career game as a collegiate head coach as the Bears topped Adams State 77-73 on Tuesday night at Butler-Hancock Hall.

UNC (1-2) got career highs in points and rebounds from sophomore center Josh Nigut (16 points, 10 rebounds) and junior guard Parish Brockman (14 points and seven rebounds) to lead an evenly distributed scoring attack.

Four of five starters scored in double figures for the Bears, with junior point guard Sean Nolen leading the way with 20 points on 4-7 shooting from three-point range. Senior guard Kevin Knudson added 16 point for the Bears.

After Adams State (1-2) led 4-2 early on, the Bears quietly took the lead and built a early advantage. UNC lead by only two at 26-24 before sparking at 10-2 run in the first half's final four minutes to give the Bears a 36-26 halftime advantage.

UNC was able to extend their advantage to 14 points only two minutes into the second half and once again led by 14 points with 11:05 to play in the game before the Grizzlies started their comeback.

A 10-2 run capped by a jumper from Doug Carlson pulled ASC to within two points with only 3:25 remaining. But the Bears would hit 8-10 free-throws over the game's final three minutes to perserve the victory, UNC's eighth in a row at home dating back to last season.

ASC was led by 16 points from Ben Ellsworth and 13 from Carlson. The Griz lost despite shooting 52.6% from the field for the night. UNC won the game the line, hitting 20-22 free-throw attempts on the evening (90.9%).

The Bears will travel to the Metro State Runners Thanksgiving Classic this weekend to battle Holy Names (Calif.) and Grand View (Iowa).