Considering it was senior day and Daylen Kountz's birthday, it was nice to end the home season with a win — even if it wasn't necessarily the team's best overall performance.

UNC (17-13, 12-6 Big Sky) defeated Idaho (8-20, 5-13 Big Sky), 98-94, despite a Vandals 3-pointer at the buzzer and some inconsistent defense thanks to hot shooting and clean play.

"Obviously, we played so well offensively that first half. I don't think we played bad defensively — it was 53-40 — (with) a couple little mistakes here and there," said UNC coach Steve Smiley. "I was really proud of our effort. I mean, that was kind of our whole thing the last two days."

The Bears got rolling early with 53 points in the first half, including 27 points from range. There was a dropoff after the break, but their 13-point lead and clean play provided enough cushion for the team to pull off the win.

Senior forward Kur Jongkuch said having the buffer was important since the team doesn't typically start the second half well.

Fellow senior Bodie Hume added that he wishes they didn't have halftime, because they're "getting old." Jongkuch jokingly said the team's bedtime is at 9:30 p.m., but the reality is that their bodies take longer to warm up. Despite being more conditioned than the average person, their joints and muscles start to hurt, so being able to take a little pressure off is helpful.

In addition to the hot shooting, Northern Colorado finished with just four turnovers, far below its season average of 12 per game.

Smiley said the number is impressive by itself, but it is especially impressive considering how many possessions each team had.

"We stress that every game, and I just think our guys really value the ball," Smiley said. "At halftime, we had two turnovers. We told the guys, 'Look, man, like if you don't throw the ball away, like we're really hard to guard because we just have firepower all over the place.'"

Six players finished in double figures, led by Kountz and senior guard Matt Johnson. Jongkuch and Hume added 10 and 11 points, respectively. They added five rebounds apiece, as well.

As a team, the Bears went 34-of-61 (55.7%) from the field and 12-of-27 (44.4%) from deep. The Vandals finished with nearly identical numbers, minus an extra made 3-pointer, but 18 made free throws and the lack of turnovers really made a difference.

Overall, it wasn't a perfect game but it was a good one, and it gives the team an extra boost of confidence going into the final week of the regular season.

"I think this is the first year we won our last home game, so that's big for us, and that's something we can hold over the fellow seniors that we played with," Hume said jokingly. The last time UNC won its last regular-season home game was in 2018. "Ultimately, it's just nice to have a good group of guys … that are willing and able not only to let the seniors rock, but (there are some) seniors that let others rock. It's just nice to be a part of."

Senior honorees

UNC recognized Hume, Jongkuch, Johnson, graduate student Dru Kuxhausen and Tre'Shon Smoots before the game.

The NCAA's extra year of eligibility allows for players to come back, but Smiley said they base senior day on the guys who have already earned their bachelor's degrees — Johnson and Kuxhausen — or will finish in the spring; Hume, Smoots and Jongkuch.

Three players were joined by their families, but two had special guests. Smoots, from California, was accompanied by head athletic trainer Maddie Biehl, while Jongkuch was joined by his "friend" and former coach, Angelo Provenzano.

Jongkuch said he didn't think he would have anyone available to walk with him, but Smiley helped organize a surprise visit and dinner.

"(Provenzano) is just the one person who's been by my side through everything — all the ups and downs throughout the four years — and is the one person I can call no matter what time, and he will give me great advice," Jongkuch said. "He's always on my side, and he's like a second father to me. He's always been there for me. He's the person who believed in me, so I'm forever indebted to him."

Smiley was able to play all of his seniors except Smoots, who received more significant minutes earlier in the year, but he said that was a conscious decision. The second-year coach said he loves Smoots and believes in him, but he will never embarrass the guard by playing him for just 14 seconds.

Instead, Smiley hoped the team would maintain its lead and allow Smoots to play extended minutes, but the game didn't allow for that.

"I think as a player that's been around and has played a lot of games. I think that he probably appreciates that too, because he doesn't want that attention, as well," Smiley said. "But you know, I love Tre, and Tre's done a tremendous amount for our program."

Smoots and the remaining seniors will get to decide after the Big Sky Tournament if they want to return for another year.

UNC will finish the regular season with a road trip to Montana. The Bears will play at 7 p.m. Thursday against Montana, then they will play at 4 p.m. Saturday versus Montana State.