University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, November 18
Greeley, Colo.
12 pm
University of Northern Colorado
2-1, 0-0
77
vs
74
Florida Gulf Coast
2-2, 0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT 1 | OT 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast | 5 | 20 | 12 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 74 |
| Northern Colorado | 15 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 77 |
Team Stats
FGCU
NC
FG%
.342
.410
3FG%
.308
.375
FT%
.522
.857
RB
46
48
TO
12
22
STL
13
5
Game Leaders
Pts
25
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballPG
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballG/PG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball@UNCBearsWBB Wins Thriller in Double OT over FGCU
11/18/2016 3:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC earned a 77-74 win over Florida Gulf Coast Friday afternoon in double OT
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball hosted over 2,000 Weld County students Friday afternoon inside Bank of Colorado Arena and gave them an exciting two overtime game against Florida Gulf Coast. The Bears ended up prevailing over the Eagles 77-74.
How It Happened
It took a little for the morning rust to ware off for the Bears and Eagles Friday as both teams struggled shooting in the first five minutes of the game. UNC was able to get things going by the end of the first quarter though, as both Savannah and Courtney Smith hit a jumper, while Katie Longwell hit a pair of threes, including a buzzer beater to end the period. The hot shooting from the trio led to a 10-2 run to close out the quarter and give UNC a 15-5 lead.
After struggling in the first quarter, FGCU's offense put together a better second quarter. UNC grew its lead to 12 at the 7:51 mark with a C. Smith layup, but after that it became all Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles went on a 14-3 run holding the Bears scoreless for almost six minutes to earn a one point edge. Abby Kain had a lay up to end the scoring drought and a late Longwell jumper left the Bears up one going to the halftime.
Northern Colorado opened the third quarter holding FGCU scoreless for the first four minutes and forty two seconds. During that time span, UNC went on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to seven. After that, the teams traded point back and forth in the quarter including Kianna Williams hitting four free throws for the team. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the third, the Bears held a 44-37 lead.
Following the same pattern of the first half, FGCU took control of the fourth quarter. They opened it up with a 6-0 run to trail by one, and stay within striking distance. UNC held the edge until the 3:54 mark of the fourth when the Eagles took their first lead since late in the second quarter.
The Eagles ended up growing its lead to four, but once again another buzzer beater was key for the Bears. This one coming from Krystal Leger-Walker with one second left on the clock hit a game-tying three to send the game into overtime at 59 apiece.
Savanna Smith sank a pair of free throws early on in the overtime putting Northern Colorado up two, but the Bears could not build a lead bigger than one possession during it. Florida Gulf Coast never led in the first overtime, but tied the game three times, including with 21 seconds left to force a second OT period.
While Northern Colorado led most of the first overtime, it was FGCU who led throughout most of the second. Katie Longwell's fourth 3-pointer of the game gave UNC its first lead in the second OT with 1:04 left. Courtney Smith had a layup with 18 seconds left to put the Bears up for good, and Danielle Noble capped off the win for Northern Colorado with another layup.
Game Changer
Kianna Williams affected every aspect of the game Friday afternoon, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. The double-double is the first of her career.
Notable
- While Kianna Williams recorded her first career double-double Friday, teammate Savannah Scott missed out on her second career one with 10 points and nine rebounds. She also added in four assists and a steal.
- The difference in the game was three points, and UNC made one more 3-pointer than FGCU did. Both teams like to shoot the three and the Bears bested the Eagles with nine treys to their eight.
- Northern Colorado out rebounded Florida Gulf Coast 48-46. Four Bears finished with five or more rebounds for the game.
- The double overtime win is the first in the program's history. UNC had only played two other games that went into multiple overtimes falling to Weber State last year and to North Dakota State in 2000.
- Florida Gulf Coast came into Friday's game ranked No. 7 in the College Inside Mid-Major poll.
Quotable
Savannah Smith
"They were a really good muscle team and knew their roles really well. They were one of those teams that you would think you put away and they just kept on coming back on us."
Courtney Smith
"It was just not an option for us to loose tonight. We knew this win would be important for us as team and a program."
Kamie Ethridge
"What a great environment and atmosphere we played in today. I felt really good about this team going into today and feel that way after too. I just have the feeling like we are on the verge of something here and today showed it."
What's Next?
The Bears four-game homestand concludes on Sunday afternoon when the Bears host San Diego. Tickets for the game are just $3 for the Sunday matinee tipping off at 2 pm.
How It Happened
It took a little for the morning rust to ware off for the Bears and Eagles Friday as both teams struggled shooting in the first five minutes of the game. UNC was able to get things going by the end of the first quarter though, as both Savannah and Courtney Smith hit a jumper, while Katie Longwell hit a pair of threes, including a buzzer beater to end the period. The hot shooting from the trio led to a 10-2 run to close out the quarter and give UNC a 15-5 lead.
After struggling in the first quarter, FGCU's offense put together a better second quarter. UNC grew its lead to 12 at the 7:51 mark with a C. Smith layup, but after that it became all Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles went on a 14-3 run holding the Bears scoreless for almost six minutes to earn a one point edge. Abby Kain had a lay up to end the scoring drought and a late Longwell jumper left the Bears up one going to the halftime.
Northern Colorado opened the third quarter holding FGCU scoreless for the first four minutes and forty two seconds. During that time span, UNC went on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to seven. After that, the teams traded point back and forth in the quarter including Kianna Williams hitting four free throws for the team. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the third, the Bears held a 44-37 lead.
Following the same pattern of the first half, FGCU took control of the fourth quarter. They opened it up with a 6-0 run to trail by one, and stay within striking distance. UNC held the edge until the 3:54 mark of the fourth when the Eagles took their first lead since late in the second quarter.
The Eagles ended up growing its lead to four, but once again another buzzer beater was key for the Bears. This one coming from Krystal Leger-Walker with one second left on the clock hit a game-tying three to send the game into overtime at 59 apiece.
Savanna Smith sank a pair of free throws early on in the overtime putting Northern Colorado up two, but the Bears could not build a lead bigger than one possession during it. Florida Gulf Coast never led in the first overtime, but tied the game three times, including with 21 seconds left to force a second OT period.
While Northern Colorado led most of the first overtime, it was FGCU who led throughout most of the second. Katie Longwell's fourth 3-pointer of the game gave UNC its first lead in the second OT with 1:04 left. Courtney Smith had a layup with 18 seconds left to put the Bears up for good, and Danielle Noble capped off the win for Northern Colorado with another layup.
Game Changer
Kianna Williams affected every aspect of the game Friday afternoon, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. The double-double is the first of her career.
Notable
- While Kianna Williams recorded her first career double-double Friday, teammate Savannah Scott missed out on her second career one with 10 points and nine rebounds. She also added in four assists and a steal.
- The difference in the game was three points, and UNC made one more 3-pointer than FGCU did. Both teams like to shoot the three and the Bears bested the Eagles with nine treys to their eight.
- Northern Colorado out rebounded Florida Gulf Coast 48-46. Four Bears finished with five or more rebounds for the game.
- The double overtime win is the first in the program's history. UNC had only played two other games that went into multiple overtimes falling to Weber State last year and to North Dakota State in 2000.
- Florida Gulf Coast came into Friday's game ranked No. 7 in the College Inside Mid-Major poll.
Quotable
Savannah Smith
"They were a really good muscle team and knew their roles really well. They were one of those teams that you would think you put away and they just kept on coming back on us."
Courtney Smith
"It was just not an option for us to loose tonight. We knew this win would be important for us as team and a program."
Kamie Ethridge
"What a great environment and atmosphere we played in today. I felt really good about this team going into today and feel that way after too. I just have the feeling like we are on the verge of something here and today showed it."
What's Next?
The Bears four-game homestand concludes on Sunday afternoon when the Bears host San Diego. Tickets for the game are just $3 for the Sunday matinee tipping off at 2 pm.
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