University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, December 19
Stockton, Calif.
8:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
8-3
60
at
56
Pacific
3-7
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Colorado
10
18
16
16
60
PACIFIC
16
9
10
21
56
Team Stats
NC
PACIFIC
FG%
.415
.419
3FG%
.360
.167
FT%
.636
.900
RB
28
30
TO
21
23
STL
7
14
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballPG
/ Women's BasketballG/PG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
@UNCBearsWBB Earns 60-56 Win Over Pacific to Close Non-Conference Play
12/19/2016 11:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado's women's basketball team heads into the break with a 60-56 win over Pacific
STOCKTON, Calif. – Northern Colorado women's basketball capped off its non-conference season with a win on Monday night, defeating Pacific 60-56. The victory moved the Bears to 8-3 as they head into a holiday break before opening Big Sky play on December 29.
How it Happened
It was a sloppy first quarter of play for UNC as they turned the ball over six times and shots just 26.7 percent from the field. Despite not playing their best basketball, the Bears just trailed by the score of 16-10 at the end of it.
The teams were tied at 10, but a 6-0 Pacific run over the final 1:19 gave the Tigers the lead at the end of the quarter.
UNC's offense got it together early on in the second quarter though, going on an 11-0 run to open it.
Katie Longwell started the scoring with a 3-pointer, before
Savannah Scott rattled off eight straight points allowing Northern Colorado to take its first lead of the game.
Pacific used a three minute and nineteen second drought from the Bears to tie the game up as the quarter neared the end. Longwell closed it out the way she started it, hitting a three, and giving UNC a 28-25 halftime lead.
Longwell and Scott had all 18 of UNC's points in the second quarter. Pacific didn't shoot the ball well, but stayed in the game by getting to the free throw line, hitting 11 shots from the charity stripe in the first half.
After Savannah Scott led Northern Colorado in the first half, the other Savannah, Savannah Smith, took over in the second. She scored eight points in the third quarter, and helped the Bears grow their lead to nine at 44-35.
Smith continued to play well for the team in the fourth quarter as well, hitting a trey with 9:25 left in the game to put UNC up 10, but then Pacific made a run.
The team's lead dwindled down to two after back-to-back three pointers by the Tigers at the 5:21 mark, and kept the game within four the rest of the way.
A three point play by Ameela Li with 1:09 left evened the score at 56.
UNC would get a key charge call in their favor with 36 seconds left to help set up the go-ahead basket.
Following a timeout, Kianna Williams got the ball at the top of the key and found a back-cutting Savannah Smith with 20.1 left for a layup on the left side. That would be the deciding basket as Northern Colorado's defense clamped down to secure the victory.
Game Changer
The Savannahs of Smith and Scott had a big night for UNC. The duo combined for 40 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal. They hit six 3-pointers and shot 57.7 percent from the field. Scott's final line was 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Smith had 18 points, four made threes, two assists, a steal and rebound.
Notable
-Besides Savannah Smith and Savannah Scott, one other Northern Colorado player finished in double figures. Katie Longwell had 10 points off the bench in 27 minutes of play.
- Kianna Williams stuffed the stat sheet for UNC with five points, five rebounds, four steals and four assists on Monday.
- Of Northern Colorado's 23 made baskets, 17 were assisted on.
- For the third straight game, the Bears forced over 20 opponent turnovers, with 23 tonight.
Quotable
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
Overall Thoughts on the Game:
"We had great contribution from so many people on the floor. Both Savannahs were really good for us tonight, and Abby Kain was a good presence for us, that the stat sheet does not show. The entire team played tremendous defense against a very athletic Pacific team. This is just a great momentum game for our team as we head into the Big Sky portion of our season."
State of Team Heading Into Break:
"I am really happy for our team and program for the fact that we are sitting at 8-3 after the non-conference competition that we had, and to top it off with a hard fought win over Pacific tonight. It is just a great momentum boost going home on the break to spend quality time with family and friends, to be going home with a win and even better that it came on the road."
On Preparing for Big Sky Play:
"Pacific is a mini version of Sacramento State in what they like to do and how they like to play. Our entire non-conference season has set us up well and prepared us for anything we will see in conference play. I am really pleased with the direction we are going and the potential this team has to be competitive in the Big Sky."
What's Next
The Bears will now take a break for the holidays and prepare for Big Sky play. They will open conference season at home against Sacramento State on December 29 at 7 pm.
How it Happened
It was a sloppy first quarter of play for UNC as they turned the ball over six times and shots just 26.7 percent from the field. Despite not playing their best basketball, the Bears just trailed by the score of 16-10 at the end of it.
The teams were tied at 10, but a 6-0 Pacific run over the final 1:19 gave the Tigers the lead at the end of the quarter.
UNC's offense got it together early on in the second quarter though, going on an 11-0 run to open it.
Katie Longwell started the scoring with a 3-pointer, before
Savannah Scott rattled off eight straight points allowing Northern Colorado to take its first lead of the game.
Pacific used a three minute and nineteen second drought from the Bears to tie the game up as the quarter neared the end. Longwell closed it out the way she started it, hitting a three, and giving UNC a 28-25 halftime lead.
Longwell and Scott had all 18 of UNC's points in the second quarter. Pacific didn't shoot the ball well, but stayed in the game by getting to the free throw line, hitting 11 shots from the charity stripe in the first half.
After Savannah Scott led Northern Colorado in the first half, the other Savannah, Savannah Smith, took over in the second. She scored eight points in the third quarter, and helped the Bears grow their lead to nine at 44-35.
Smith continued to play well for the team in the fourth quarter as well, hitting a trey with 9:25 left in the game to put UNC up 10, but then Pacific made a run.
The team's lead dwindled down to two after back-to-back three pointers by the Tigers at the 5:21 mark, and kept the game within four the rest of the way.
A three point play by Ameela Li with 1:09 left evened the score at 56.
UNC would get a key charge call in their favor with 36 seconds left to help set up the go-ahead basket.
Following a timeout, Kianna Williams got the ball at the top of the key and found a back-cutting Savannah Smith with 20.1 left for a layup on the left side. That would be the deciding basket as Northern Colorado's defense clamped down to secure the victory.
Game Changer
The Savannahs of Smith and Scott had a big night for UNC. The duo combined for 40 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and a steal. They hit six 3-pointers and shot 57.7 percent from the field. Scott's final line was 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Smith had 18 points, four made threes, two assists, a steal and rebound.
Notable
-Besides Savannah Smith and Savannah Scott, one other Northern Colorado player finished in double figures. Katie Longwell had 10 points off the bench in 27 minutes of play.
- Kianna Williams stuffed the stat sheet for UNC with five points, five rebounds, four steals and four assists on Monday.
- Of Northern Colorado's 23 made baskets, 17 were assisted on.
- For the third straight game, the Bears forced over 20 opponent turnovers, with 23 tonight.
Quotable
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
Overall Thoughts on the Game:
"We had great contribution from so many people on the floor. Both Savannahs were really good for us tonight, and Abby Kain was a good presence for us, that the stat sheet does not show. The entire team played tremendous defense against a very athletic Pacific team. This is just a great momentum game for our team as we head into the Big Sky portion of our season."
State of Team Heading Into Break:
"I am really happy for our team and program for the fact that we are sitting at 8-3 after the non-conference competition that we had, and to top it off with a hard fought win over Pacific tonight. It is just a great momentum boost going home on the break to spend quality time with family and friends, to be going home with a win and even better that it came on the road."
On Preparing for Big Sky Play:
"Pacific is a mini version of Sacramento State in what they like to do and how they like to play. Our entire non-conference season has set us up well and prepared us for anything we will see in conference play. I am really pleased with the direction we are going and the potential this team has to be competitive in the Big Sky."
What's Next
The Bears will now take a break for the holidays and prepare for Big Sky play. They will open conference season at home against Sacramento State on December 29 at 7 pm.
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UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Jan. 6)
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Heather Baymon and Kristen Mattio Press Conference vs Montana
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Gabi Fields and Kristen Mattio Press Conference vs Montana State
Friday, January 02
