GREELEY, Colo. – Southern Utah was manhandled early in a 79-68 loss to Northern Colorado.

It wasn’t a good start for Southern Utah. By the time the Bears’ Bodie Hume made a layup with 10:28 remaining in the first half, Northern Colorado already had a 20-7 lead.

The Thunderbirds picked up the scoring pace a bit, but still trailed by 15 at halftime with the Bears holding a 79-68 lead.

Although the Thunderbirds managed to cut the Bears’ lead to 10 on a couple occasions, the game was essentially out of reach for the entirety of the second half as Northern Colorado coasted to a 11-point victory.

Brandon Better turned in a strong individual performance with 22 points, double his season average. Harrison Butler also had a good game with 15 points while Maizen Fausett also chipped in 10 points.

Northern Colorado’s Jordan Davis had a high-volume scoring night with 36 points while shooting 14-for-17 from the field.

SUU will continue a four-game road trip with a visit to Northern Arizona on Monday on 12 p.m.