Recap: Smith's Career Night Propels @UNCBearsWBB Past Montana State

Thursday, January 4

Greeley, Colo

7pm

University of Northern Colorado

11-3, 3-0

Montana State

8-6, 2-1

Montana State

Northern Colorado

1/4/2018 10:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Savannah Smith scored a career-high 32 points in a 82-69 win over Montana State Thursday Night

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – In a battle between two of the top teams in the Big Sky, Northern Colorado outlasted Montana State at home 82-69. The win keeps the Bears undefeated in the Big Sky moving to 3-0 and 11-3 on the season, while MSU drops to 8-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

UNC ended up with four players finishing the game in double figures scoring, led by a career-high 32 from guard Savannah Smith.

The team's traded baskets early on in the game, but the Bears ended the first quarter on a 10-0 run to hold a 22-13 lead after the first 10 minutes. UNC shot an impressive 66.7 percent in the quarter while holding MSU to 27.8 percent.

Montana State quickly cut the Bears lead down early in the second quarter with a 7-0 run to make it a 24-20 game. The score remained close until Savannah Smith hit a pair of 3s for UNC during a 9-0 run just before the half to give the team a 41-29 lead at the break.

The duo of Savannah Scott and Savannah Smith combined for 28 of the team's points in the first half, including going 6-of-9 from 3-point range.

Coming out of the half, MSU ramped up its intensity, but the teams just traded baskets through the first five and a half minutes. The intensity didn't die down though and the Bobcats used a quick 6-0 run to pull within three of UNC with 3:23 remaining in the quarter.

Northern Colorado ended up leading 56-50 going into the fourth, but MSU shot an impressive 73.3 percent in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into the Savannah Smith show as she scored 15 points including three 3-pointers to help propel the Bears to victory. MSU cut the UNC lead down to one early in the fourth, but Smith hit a pair of shots behind the arc to put the Bears back up by five.

Montana State continued to hang around until a pair of Courtney Smith putback layups and Savannah Smith 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining put Northern Colorado up by 10. The Bears put away the game at the free throw line hitting their final seven free throws.

What They Said

Head Coach Kamie Ethridge

On the trio of Savannah Scott, Savannah Smith and Kianna Williams
"Those three are some of our most experienced players and it shows. Savannah Smith can score in a variety of ways and when she gets going she's hard to stop and we are able to reach that 80 point mark that makes us hard to beat. Then you have Savannah Scott who has been so consistent for us all year and we get the same effort and output almost every night from her. Finally, Kianna (Williams) has really gained confidence since those games in Kansas City I think. She has been shooting well and scoring to go along with all the other ways she effects the game."

Senior Savannah Scott

On team's mindset going into the fourth quarter.
"It was more about playing together and staying focused after that third quarter. We didn't come out the way we wanted to in the third and we wanted to right that in the fourth."

Senior Kianna Williams

About the team's rebounding effort
"Coach had been on us about rebounding this week and it just stuck in my head. She mentioned we were last in the league and really made it an emphasis for us."

Game Changer
Savannah Smith was feeling it all night for the Bears, scoring a career-best 32 points on 10-of-22 shooting including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. She also was a perfect 6-for-6 at the charity stripe. Smith not only scored in a variety of ways for UNC but also had four rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Stat to Know
Northern Colorado dominated the glass Thursday night, outrebounding Montana State 41-28. The Bears pulled down an impressive 13 offensive rebounds leading to a season-high 23 second chance points. Kianna Williams finished the game with a game-leading 11 boards including six on the offensive glass.

Game Notes
- Three other Bears joined Savannah Smith in double figures scoring in Savannah Scott (21), Kianna Williams (10) and Courtney Smith (10).
- Williams finished with her second career double-double scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She also had an assist, block and steal in her 39 minutes played. In three of the Bears past five games, Williams has scored in double figures.
- Courtney Smith battled foul trouble all game but ended up with an impressive 10 points and seven rebounds over just 19 minutes played. Smith made a pair of key putbacks in the fourth to help lead UNC to the win.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado finishes its weekend at home when they host Montana Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. The Griz are the only other 3-0 team in the Big Sky after winning at North Dakota in Grand Forks Thursday night 54-43.
Tickets for Saturday's game and all UNC women's basketball games at the UNC Box Office, by calling 970-351-4849 or visiting UNCBears.com/tickets.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.