University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 7
Flagstaff, Ariz.
2:00 pm
University of Northern Colorado
12-3, 4-0BSC
69
at
66
Northern Arizona
5-9, 1-2BSC
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Colorado
17
14
20
18
69
Northern Arizona
15
16
22
13
66
Team Stats
NC
NAU
FG%
.424
.390
3FG%
.400
.389
FT%
.733
.813
RB
31
42
TO
11
17
STL
8
6
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballPG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballG/PG
/ Women's Basketball
@UNCBearsWBB Buckles Down on Defense to Earn Comeback Victory
1/7/2017 6:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado earned a comeback 69-66 win over Northern Arizona Saturday due to strong defensive effort late
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A 7-0 run in the fourth quarter helped Northern Colorado earn a comeback 69-66 victory over Northern Arizona Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Bears Big Sky record to 4-0, the best start to conference play since joining the Big Sky. Overall the team is 12-3 for the season.
How it Happened
Both teams came out hot from behind the arc in the first quarter, combining to hit six 3-pointers. NAU took the early lead in the first, but then the Bears worked their way back and took the lead late.
The Smith duo of Courtney and Savannah combined for 12 of Northern Colorado's 17 points in the first quarter as the Bears held a two point lead.
Savannah Scott took over for Northern Colorado in the second quarter scoring six of her nine first half points as the teams traded baskets through it. UNC and NAU entered the half tied at 31.
Neither team gained much of an advantage in the third, playing within six points of each other at all times.
The Bears entered the fourth trailing by two, but quickly regained the lead with a 7-2 run. With a 58-57 lead, Northern Colorado turned up the defense to start pulling away from the Lumberjacks.
NAU was held without a point for five minutes and UNC went on a 6-0 run during that time to go up 64-57.
Northern Arizona did not go away quietly though, battling back within three with a minute left. The Bears hit their free throws though and held on for the victory.
Game Changer
Each of Northern Colorado's three-headed monster of Savannah Scott, Courtney Smith and Savannah Smith played a significant role in the win Saturday afternoon, all combining for 46 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals.
Notable
- The 4-0 start in Big Sky play marks the best in the program's history since joining it.
- It was the second time this year that UNC earned the win after trailing going into the third.
- The game featured 11 lead changes and nine ties.
- Northern Colorado continued its strong shooting going 42.2 percent from the field.
Quotable
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
Message to team when trailing
"We came out of halftime and just had a bad first four minutes. We gained some momentum during the last part of the third quarter, but were still down going to the fourth. I just gave the team a simple message was that we were going to win or lose on the defensive end and in rebounding, which we ended up doing well with in the fourth quarter."
How the win helps the team moving forward
"I like that our team has been put in positions leading at times and then tonight playing in a game where we were behind and had to battle to get the win. It continues to be a great positive for this team in its growth to play in these different style of games. It helps in the potential of this team to pull out these two tough games in a row."
On strong individual performances
"Katie Longwell had tremendous minutes for us in the second half even though it doesn't show up in the stat sheet. Plus then you had Courtney Smith keeping us in it when we were struggling and both Savannahs kept attacking the rim for us. Overall it was just a great team win for us."
What's Next?
The Bears return home for a pair of games next week starting on Thursday when Montana comes to Greeley. The Bears and Griz tip-off at 7 pm.
How it Happened
Both teams came out hot from behind the arc in the first quarter, combining to hit six 3-pointers. NAU took the early lead in the first, but then the Bears worked their way back and took the lead late.
The Smith duo of Courtney and Savannah combined for 12 of Northern Colorado's 17 points in the first quarter as the Bears held a two point lead.
Savannah Scott took over for Northern Colorado in the second quarter scoring six of her nine first half points as the teams traded baskets through it. UNC and NAU entered the half tied at 31.
Neither team gained much of an advantage in the third, playing within six points of each other at all times.
The Bears entered the fourth trailing by two, but quickly regained the lead with a 7-2 run. With a 58-57 lead, Northern Colorado turned up the defense to start pulling away from the Lumberjacks.
NAU was held without a point for five minutes and UNC went on a 6-0 run during that time to go up 64-57.
Northern Arizona did not go away quietly though, battling back within three with a minute left. The Bears hit their free throws though and held on for the victory.
Game Changer
Each of Northern Colorado's three-headed monster of Savannah Scott, Courtney Smith and Savannah Smith played a significant role in the win Saturday afternoon, all combining for 46 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals.
Notable
- The 4-0 start in Big Sky play marks the best in the program's history since joining it.
- It was the second time this year that UNC earned the win after trailing going into the third.
- The game featured 11 lead changes and nine ties.
- Northern Colorado continued its strong shooting going 42.2 percent from the field.
Quotable
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
Message to team when trailing
"We came out of halftime and just had a bad first four minutes. We gained some momentum during the last part of the third quarter, but were still down going to the fourth. I just gave the team a simple message was that we were going to win or lose on the defensive end and in rebounding, which we ended up doing well with in the fourth quarter."
How the win helps the team moving forward
"I like that our team has been put in positions leading at times and then tonight playing in a game where we were behind and had to battle to get the win. It continues to be a great positive for this team in its growth to play in these different style of games. It helps in the potential of this team to pull out these two tough games in a row."
On strong individual performances
"Katie Longwell had tremendous minutes for us in the second half even though it doesn't show up in the stat sheet. Plus then you had Courtney Smith keeping us in it when we were struggling and both Savannahs kept attacking the rim for us. Overall it was just a great team win for us."
What's Next?
The Bears return home for a pair of games next week starting on Thursday when Montana comes to Greeley. The Bears and Griz tip-off at 7 pm.
UNC Bears Women's Basketball Press Conference vs. NNMC
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Women's Basketball Press Conference vs Montana
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Women's Basketball Press Conference vs Montana State
Tuesday, December 23
UNC Bears Women's Basketball Press Conference vs EWU
Tuesday, December 23
