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NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - A night after everything went right for the Northern Colorado women's basketball team, the flip side happened on Saturday evening as the Bears fell 73-47 to Providence in the Warner Center Marriott Classic.

The Friars (5-1) scored 15 of the first 17 points of the contest and opened up a 20-point lead at 25-5 before the Bears (1-4) started to chip away. Northern Colorado scored 11 of the final 13 in the first stanza to pull within 14 at 34-20. However, Providence continued to extend its lead in the second half, using a 18-6 run midway through the final 20 minutes to take a 58-32 advantage. They went on for the 73-47 victory.

Junior guard Courtney Stoermer led the Bears with 17 points, hitting four three-pointers, while senior guard Whitley Cox scored 15. Stoermer also led the club with six rebounds.

"I think, athlete for athlete, we were outmatched tonight," said Head Coach Jaime White. "We also have to get a better start, we can't get going 10 minutes into the game. I did think Lara (Merritt) played one of her better defensive nights tonight. I liked our zone defense and we did a good job of mixing up our defenses."

The Bears connected on just .255 from the field, but did a much better job in the second half, connecting on .360 compared to .167 in the first half. Providence shot .517 from the field in the game and out-rebounded NC 43-33.

Mi-Khida Hankins led all players in the game with 18 points, while Brittany Dorsey scored 17, Jessica Clark scored 11 and Chelsea Marandola chipped in 10. Dorsey also had a game-high eight rebounds and Hankins had five assists and three blocked shots.

Northern Colorado finally plays its first home game of the season on Wednesday as the Bears host the Cougars of Colorado Christian at 7:05 p.m. in Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.