Recap: Complete Team Win Leads @UNCBearsWBB Over Pacific

Sunday, December 3

Greeley, Colo

2pm

University of Northern Colorado

Pacific

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

12/3/2017 7:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Northern Colorado women's basketball used a complete team effort to take care of Pacific 80-55.

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY – Northern Colorado women's basketball led for all but 1:45 of Sunday afternoon's game against Pacific on the way to an 80-55 win. The Bears jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start the game and never looked back to improve to 6-2 on the season while dropping Pacific to 4-3.

The 9-0 run to begin the game included a deep 3-pointer from Savannah Scott and great drive from Courtney Smith. Those plays help set the tone for the whole afternoon. Northern Colorado's offense was working on all cylinders during the first quarter, shooting 72.7 percent from the field recording six assists on the team's eight made baskets.

Courtney Smith established the inside game early on scoring eight of her 16 points during the first 10-minute period. Teammate Savannah Scott wasn't far behind Smith, with seven of her own to help UNC out to a 22-9 lead through the first quarter.

Pacific turned up the defensive intensity in the second quarter to go on a 12-0 run, cutting the UNC lead to 25-21. Over the five and a half minute run the Bears turned the ball over five times, leading to a basket for the Tigers on each one.

Savannah Smith put an end to the threat from Pacific late in the first half when she drained back-to-back 3's to expand the lead back to 10 for the Bears at 35-25. UNC ended up taking a 40-29 advantage into the half.

It was once again the Courtney Smith show to start the second half for UNC, as she scored six of the team's first eight points to help out the team up 15. The score remained around that mark throughout the remainder of the quarter and UNC entered the fourth up 58-42.

In the final quarter of play, Northern Colorado matched its shooting percentage from the first quarter going 72.7 percent from the field. Seven Bears found their way into the points column during the fourth, led by Scott's nine points. UNC closed the game on an 8-2 run to defeat Pacific 80-55.

What They Said?
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge

Overall thoughts on the game
"We started the game great, the starters came out focused and ready to go. We guarded Pacific unbelievably well and that helped to the hot start. We ended up with the turnover bug during the second quarter and let them back in it, but got it back together and it was a complete team win."

On the team's bench production
"We are seeing good minutes from our bench, especially in Tiarna Clarke and Bridget Hintz. Bridget has really put together good minutes off the bench for us, including today helping give Courtney a breather."

About the performance of Savannah Scott and Savannah Smith
"The one person that has been solid for us no matter what this season has been Savannah Scott, and she did it once again today. When we get Savannah Smith going like she did tonight and settling into the game it makes everyone on the team take a breath. When she is able to do that, she takes pressure off all of our team the way she can both score and set up her teammates to score."

Junior Center Courtney Smith

On the up-tempo pace of play
"It was a lot of fun out there today, but a little tiering based on their pace of play. It became mostly a transition game in which we did better than them in."

Game Changer
Savannah Scott made a direct impact on 14 of UNC's 30 made field goals going 7-of-8 from the field and recording seven assists. She finished with a game-high 22 points hitting on both her 3-pointers and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Scott also grabbed five rebounds and a steal in her 33 minutes played. She will enter next Sunday's game against Colorado State eight points away from becoming the 20th member of the 1,000 points club in UNC history.

Stat to Know
Ball movement led to open shots for the Bears all night long as the team finished with 20 assists on its 30 made baskets. UNC ended up shooting a season-best 61.2 percent from the field in the game, including going 7-of-15 from behind the arc.

Game Notes
- Northern Colorado's three-headed monster of Savannah Scott, Savannah Smith and Courtney Smith combined for 55 points in the game, matching the total of the entire Pacific team.
- Courtney Smith only scored in two of the four quarters, but in both the first and third she scored eight points each on her way to a 16 point performance. Smith led the team with seven rebounds and added in an assist as well. Her performance helped UNC out-score Pacific 34-28 in the paint.
- Savannah Smith scored 17 points for UNC, hitting five 3-pointers in the game. She not only made shots from deep but set up her teammates with five assists and three steals in the game.
- For the first time, this season Northern Colorado out-rebounded its opponent, besting the Tigers 30-26.
- Bridget Hintz had a solid day off the bench for UNC scoring nine points and grabbing a pair of boards in her 11 minutes of action.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado closes out its three-game homestand by hosting Colorado State next Sunday, December 10 at 2 pm. The Rams are currently 5-2 after defeating BYU by two points on Saturday. Before facing the Bears, CSU will play host to Colorado Wednesday night.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.