GREELEY, Colo.—Four different players scored in double figures for Stetson but the Hatters couldn't overcome a sloppy first half as Northern Colorado eased to an 82-62 win, Friday at Bank of Colorado Arena.

Stetson (2-5) committed 13 turnovers in first half and those turnovers led to 17 points for the Bears (3-2), allowing UNC to gain a 47-30 advantage at halftime.

While turnovers ultimately undid the Hatters, Northern Colorado's hot shooting in the game's early stages was also a considerable factor. The Bears made nine of their first 10 shots from the field and raced out to a 17-6 lead. UNC shot 60.7 percent overall in the first half in building their 17-point lead at the break.

Stetson, which didn't commit a single turnover in the final 20 minutes, tried to make a game of it in the second half, getting as close as 14 points when Kentwan Smith made one-of-two free throws to make it a 64-50 game with 8:12 to go. But the Hatters never got any closer as they dropped their third straight game.

Brian Pegg led Stetson with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Smith scored 11 and grabbed four boards. Angel Rivera had 10 points and four assists, and Cameron Harvey chipped in with 10 points off the bench.

The Bears were led by Tevin Svihovec's 18 points.

Stetson shot 46 percent for the game, but UNC countered with 56 percent shooting of its own. After getting beaten badly on the boards in their previous two games, the Hatters held their own against the Bears as UNC finished with a 30-29 advantage on the glass.

The Hatters wrap up their road trip when they face Florida A&M, 5 p.m., Saturday.

--SU--