Recap: @UNCWBB Opens Season with Huge Win over No. 20/25 DePaul

Friday, November 10

Chicago, Ill.

6:00 pm

University of Northern Colorado

1-0

DePaul

0-1

Northern Colorado

DePaul

11/10/2017 10:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Behind the 35 points of Savannah Scott, Northern Colorado defeated No. 20/25 DePaul Friday night 94-88

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

CHICAGO – Northern Colorado women's basketball came into the Windy City Friday night and stood up to the challenge that No. 20/25 DePaul brought to the table, earning one of the biggest wins in program history by the final of 94-88. Senior Savannah Scott led the way with a career-high 35 points.

The win is the first of the season for UNC and the first for the program over a Top 25 team since becoming Division I in 2006.

Northern Colorado outscored the Blue Demons 28-14 in the third quarter, including an 11-0 run to take control of the game. During the third quarter run, UNC went from being up three to 14 and kept DePaul at an arm's length away the rest of the way.

The first quarter was a back and forth battle as neither team led by more than four points during it. At the 1:46 mark of the quarter, UNC's Savannah Smith picked up her second foul of the game with the Bears trailing 18-14. She ended up sitting for the majority of the first half following that, but it didn't slow down Northern Colorado.

UNC's Savannahs, Smith and Scott, each scored five points in the first quarter to pace the team as they trailed 18-17 when the first 10 minutes passed. UNC out-rebounded DePaul in the quarter 13-10.

The second quarter was a game of runs, as DePaul seemed to take some control of the game when it opened it with a 7-0 run. Northern Colorado showed its veteran experience and resilience responding with a 6-0 run of its own to cut the Blue Demon lead to two. UNC continued its momentum in the quarter with another run, this time of the 10-0 variety. Scott led the charge for the team during it scoring six of the 10 points.

The Blue Demon's closed the half with a 9-1 run of its own to take the lead going into the break at 43-41.

After scoring 13 points in the first half, Savannah Scott came out quick in the second hitting three 3-pointers early on to regain the lead for the team. Following a Chante Stonewall three with 5:00 left in the third stanza, UNC started its decisive run.

For a two minute and 53-second span, the Bears held DePaul without a point, while scoring 11 of its own. The Blue Demons went without a field goal for three and a half minutes. Northern Colorado entered the final quarter of play with a 69-57 lead thanks to the defensive stops.

UNC held the lead throughout the fourth quarter, but DePaul never gave up, cutting it down to three with 2:37 remaining, unable to find that needed basket to tie the game. UNC iced the game away at the free throw line, as the team's final 12 points of the game came from the line to give UNC the big opening night win.

They Said It
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge

Overall thoughts on game
"It was thrilling to watch our players after this game and knowing that we had pulled off the upset. It was the most fun I've had in awhile just to see how happy they were. We saw a real grown-up approach of all ten of us. We were just composed and determined to be our very best in a pretty hostile environment against a great team. This team took on the challenge of going on the road playing a top 25 team after quite frankly not playing very well in our exhibition and scrimmage. It was a challenge for us to put together not just a couple of good minutes, but an entire game. Everyone on our team made plays and keyed us in ultimately beating an incredible DePaul team.

About Savannah Scott's game
"This was by far an unbelievable game by both Savannah (Scott) and Courtney. When I think of this game I can just remember in every timeout during the fourth quarter Scotty saying 'We're not going to lose the game'. By then she had just dominated the game in so many ways, with points off the dribble in the first half and then just made dagger threes against a very athletic team. She was just dialed in and had the look of a senior on her face and her entire presence on the court."

On Courtney Smith
"Courtney Smith was a little bit of an unsung hero, even though when you look at her numbers you really can't say that. She guarded the perimeter, blocked shots and just made killer shots in the fourth quarter when it looked like they were making a run and had us on the ropes hitting her patented twelve and fifteen-foot shots. She truly put the game away with her shots and performance at the free throw line late."

Senior Guard Savannah Scott
"Tonight the team was just really clicking and playing well together. Our point guards handled the pressure DePaul threw at us really well. That just led to good ball movement and open shots for everyone. Coach Ethridge talked to us about handling the stuff we can control. She wanted to put us on that big stage and see how we handled it and I think we lived up to those expectations. This win is really exciting for us to beat a top 25 team and a good start to the season with more good things to come this year."

Game Changer
Senior guard Savannah Scott came out and played like the veteran player she is. Scott, led the Bears with a career-high 35 points, along with six rebounds, two steals, a block and assist. Over her 36 minutes played, she hit 9 of her 13 shot attempts including four 3-pointers. More impressive was her performance at the free throw line, going a perfect 13-for-13.

Stat to Know
Games are won and lost at the free throw line, and that proved itself once again Friday night. A key in Northern Colorado's win over DePaul was its ability to make free throws. UNC shot 89.2 percent (33-37) from the charity stripe, while the Blue Demons went just 62.1 percent (18-29). Those 33 made free throws are a program DI record, and two off the overall record.

Game Notes
- The win over top 25 ranked DePaul is the first in UNC DI history over a top 25 ranked team.
- Scott's 35 points were the two points away from tying the program record for points in a game with Jenny Gallagher and Danielle Hagen. It is the third most points scored by a Bear in its Division I history, and the first time since Stephanie Lee in March 2015 a Bear eclipsed 30 points
- Junior center Courtney Smith picked up right where she left off from last season, scoring 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting, with seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.
- Northern Colorado's big three of Savannah Scott, Courtney Smith and Savannah Smith combined for 72 points. S. Smith added in 13 to go with Scott's 35 and C. Smith's 24.
- Neither team handled the well Friday night as UNC had 20 turnovers, while DePaul committed 17. Despite committing more turnovers, UNC ended up with 25 points off turnovers compared to DePaul's 15.
- UNC was clicking offensively making 50.9 percent of its shots. The team had an assist on 19 of its 27 made baskets.
- Krystal Leger-Walker had a big impact on the game for UNC as she pulled down a career-best seven rebounds, while also dishing out six assists to just one turnover.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado returns to the Centennial State for its next three games, starting on Sunday at Denver. Tip-off between the Bears and Pios is set for 1 pm. Sunday's game will be televised on Altitude. Denver defeated Air Force 75-54 in its season-opener on Friday.

The Bears' home-opener is set for Wednesday, November 15 when LSU comes to Bank of Colorado Arena. Tip-off between UNC and LSU is set for 7 pm MT.

Season tickets for the women's basketball season start at just $60. UNC welcomes some of the best in women's basketball to Bank of Colorado Arena this season including LSU, BYU, and Colorado State. The 15 game home slate also features top Big Sky teams Montana, Montana State and North Dakota.

To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.