WBB Defeats Air Force 76-35

Tuesday, December 2

Greeley, Colo.

7:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

5-1

Air Force

1-5

Team	1	2	F
Air Force	16	19	35
Northern Colorado	35	41	76

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

12/2/2014 10:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado continued their hot start with a 41 point victory over

By: Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY— Northern Colorado's women's basketball team continued its best start in the program's Division I history, defeating Air Force 76-35 Tuesday evening at Bank of Colorado Arena.

"This game was another good step forward for us," said head coach Kamie Ethridge. "It was nice to have everyone play tonight and continue to develop as a team."

Northern Colorado had its most efficient offensive game of the year, shooting 31-of-55 in the game and having 23 assists on its 31 baskets. They also held the Falcons to 25 percent shooting.

It was not just the Bears' offense that played well, but it was their defense too. The team forced 16 turnovers, leading to 20 points off turnovers, compared to five for Air
Force (1-5).

The Bears (5-1) were led by the senior duo of D'shara Strange (Fountain) and Stephanie Lee (Casper), as the two combined for 30 of the team's 76 points.

Strange led UNC with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Nineteen of her points came in the first half, while all five assists came in the second half.

"I am so thankful to have D'shara back," Lee said. "It is almost like a comfort zone having her out there. She is playing great and a great leader to have out there on the court."

Lee stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists.

"When we get numbers like tonight from these two (Lee and Strange), we are going to be a very tough team to defend," said Ethridge.

The bench performed well for UNC, getting 24 points from them. Kourteney Zadina (Seward, Neb.) led all bench scorers with eight points. She also added four rebounds and an
assist during the game.

The Bears got out to a quick start, opening on a 12-2 run. Of the 12 points, the first eight were scored by Strange.

Air Force would cut UNC's lead from 13 to six, before the Bears would close the half on a 14-3 run to lead 35-16.

Northern Colorado shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, while holding Air Force to 21.4 percent. The Bears defense forced seven turnovers, getting nine points off of
them, and blocked four shots, three by Lee.

The Bears started opened the second half with another big run, this time a 20-4 stretch. Lee scored nine of her 11 second-half points during the run.

UNC's biggest lead of the second half would be 46.

The Bears will return to action at 2 p.m. Saturday against South Dakota State in Bank of Colorado Arena.

"South Dakota State will bring something new for us to see," Ethridge said. "They have a tradition of winning. They will be another good test for us as we continue to prepare for the Big Sky."