Recap: @UNCBearsWBB Earns Gutsy Win Over Eastern Washington

Saturday, January 27

Greeley, Colo

12pm

University of Northern Colorado

14-6, 6-3BSC

Eastern Washington

10-11, 5-4BSC

Eastern Washington

Northern Colorado

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

1/27/2018 4:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado women's basketball defeated Eastern Washington 68-62

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball pulled out a gutsy 68-62 win over Eastern Washington Saturday afternoon inside Bank of Colorado Arena to end a two-game losing streak. The Bears (14-6, 6-3 Big Sky) saved its best offensive performance for the final quarter, outshooting the Eagles (10-11, 5-4) 57.1 percent to 53.8 percent.

Savannah Smith hit the dagger 3-pointer with 43 seconds left to put the team up by two scores.

Smith and teammate Savannah Scott gave the 893 fans inside the arena a scare early in the game when they collided going after an offensive board, ending up having to exit the game for the remainder of the quarter.

The game was tied at nine when the duo exited, but Eastern Washington finished the quarter with an 11-6 advantage to lead 20-15.

Smith returned at the beginning of the second quarter and helped the team even up the game at 22 with a 7-2 run. The teams ended up exchanging the lead once and tied five times, including as the horn sounded at 34.

UNC's offense struggled to make shots in the second quarter, but attacked the basket and went to the foul line 10 times in the quarter hitting all 10 of them. It was Scott who made half of those at the charity stripe, after returning to the game.

The third quarter featured six ties and no team leading by more than two through it. Neither the Bears or Eagles scored in the final 3:13 of the game and entered the fourth tied at 44.

UNC began the fourth on a 7-2 run to start the fourth. Smith started it with a nice drive and Krystal Leger-Walker knocked down a 3 to start it before a great hustle play by Scott diving on the floor for a loose ball led to an easy Smith layup.

EWU fought back to tie the game at 51 and the teams traded baskets until the 2:22 mark. Bridget Hintz scored her career-high 12^th point on a strong post move to put the team up 59-57.

The Bears defense clamped down the rest of the way holding EWU to four points.

What They Said

Head Coach Kamie Ethridge

About the challenges night in and night out of the conference
"When you look at teams across the board there are some really good players in this league and different styles. That makes it a challenging night in and night out. Eastern Washington is an aggressive defensive team and (Symone) Starks is a great on-ball defender, so your point guard has to be ready for that. You have to have a versatile team and a team that will fight to be able to win in this league"

On the play of Bridget Hintz
"We are super excited about Bridget. She walks into the gym every day and wants to learn. She is just wide in the shoulders and lengthy. Her offensive game is still growing and to get 12 points out of her is just the beginning."

Sophomore Center Bridget Hintz

On her taking on her expanded role
"We practice together and I have been getting in as many reps as I can. I have been working with everyone and been used to playing the more minutes."

Redshirt-Junior Guard Savannah Smith

What the message from Coach Ethridge was after the third quarter
"The message was just to finish strong. We were getting good stops on the defensive end but needed to get better shots offensively and we did so."

On the challenging schedule going forward
"We are looking forward to playing the tough teams now to prepare us for the tournament come March instead of being on the opposite side."

Game Changer
Savannah Smith has the mark to show form the tough collision in the first quarter, but she also has the dagger 3-pointer and game-high 24 points to help the Bears earn the win. Smith attacked the basket all day long, earning a trip to the free throw line eight times connecting on all eight of them. She also grabbed six offensive rebounds, four assists and a block.

Stat to Know
With the offense struggling at times throughout the game, UNC attacked the basket and earned trips to the charity stripe. The Bears shot 21 free throw attempts, making 20 of them.

Game Notes
- The win is the 600th in program's history.
- Saturday's game featured 20 ties and nine leads.
- Bridget Hintz scored a career-high 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and sinking four of her five free throw attempts. She added in three rebounds, two blocks and an assist in the 34 minutes played.
- Savannah Scott was one of three Bears finishing in double figures scoring with 16 points. She led the team with seven rebounds while recording two assists and two steals.
- The Bears outrebounded a tough Eagles team 34-31.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado goes on its next to last road trip of the regular season next week. The Bears head to the Gem State to face Montana and Montana State on February 1 and 3, respectively. Tipoff between UNC and UM is set for 7 pm on the first.

The team's next home game is on February 8 at 12 pm against Idaho State. Tickets to the game can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets, the UNC Box Office from 10-5, Monday-Friday or by calling 970-351-4849.

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