@UNCBearsWBB Extends Win Streak to Eight

Saturday, March 7

Grand Forks, N.D.

1:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

18-11, 12-6

North Dakota

17-13, 9-9

Northern Colorado

North Dakota

3/7/2015 8:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado women's basketball team extended its win steak to eight games with the 67-56 win over North Dakota Saturday

By: Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Northern Colorado (18-11, 12-6 Big Sky) women's basketball will be going into the Big Sky Tournament next week on an eight-game winning streak after defeating North Dakota (17-13, 9-9 Big Sky) 67-56 Saturday afternoon.

The eight-game win streak stands as the fifth longest in school history. The last time the team had a streak this long was in 2013 when the team won 13 straight.

UNC's offense once again was very balanced with four scorers reaching double figures.

"It was a great team effort," said head coach Kamie Ethridge. "We showed we have a lot of weapons offensively."

D'shara Strange (Fountain, Colo.) led all Bears with 22 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. It was her 11th double-double of the season.

Kyleigh Hiser (17), Stephanie Lee (10) and Kourteney Zadina (10) were the other three players in double-digits.

Lindsay Mallon (Lone Tree, Colo.) had a solid day as well for UNC matching a season-high eight assists to go with six rebounds and three steals. Mallon's eight assists accounted for half of the team's overall total.

"Lindsay has really turned the corner for us as a playmaker and someone we can depend on," Ethridge said. "Her floor game and leadership has been big for us, she is our glue."

Defensively, Northern Colorado had 12 steals.

UNC got off to a quick start holding UND scoreless for the first five minutes, building a 10-0 lead. North Dakota kept fighting back though. By the 2:54 mark of the half they were within one point of the Bears.

An 8-3 run by UNC made it a 31-25 game in favor of Bears at the half.

North Dakota opned up the second half on an 11-5 rally to come back and tie the game. UND did not gain a lead at any point though throught the remainder of the game.

After a five minute stretch of back and forth basketball, the Bears went on a decisive 12-4 run from the 9:04 mark to the 3:56 point.

These teams will see each other again in the first round of the Big Sky Tournament next week as UNC earned the three seed and UND the six. The first round match tips-off at 1:30 in Missoula, Montana on March 11.

"It is great coming in as the hot team, but now it is a matter of being that hot team for the next three games next week," Ethridge said. "We just have to take it one game at a time."