University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 6
Greeley, Colo
2pm
University of Northern Colorado
12-3, 4-0BSC
68
vs
50
Montana
7-8, 3-1BSC
1
2
3
4
F
Montana
8
14
14
14
50
Northern Colorado
22
15
22
9
68
Recap: @UNCBearsWBB Uses Quick Start to Defeat Montana 68-50
1/6/2018 5:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado jumped out to a fast start and defeated Montana 68-50 Saturday afternoon
GREELEY, Colo – In a battle of 3-0 teams in the Big Sky Conference, Northern Colorado came away with a 68-50 victory over Montana inside Bank of Colorado Arena. The wins puts UNC alone at the top of the Big Sky standings at 4-0, and 12-3 overall, while Montana moves to 7-8, 3-1 in the conference.
Northern Colorado controlled the game from the opening tip, winning it and going on an 11-1 run to begin the game. UNC took advantage of Montana's switches on defense to give Courtney Smith an advantage inside as she scored the first six points, and eight of the team's first 11 points.
The Bears ended the first quarter up 22-8 thanks to shooting 61.5 percent compared to 33.3 percent from Montana and an 11-0 run during it.
Savannah Scott hit a 3-pointer as time expired to end the first quarter, and UNC turned it into a 7-0 run to start the second 10 minute period building an eighteen point lead. Montana had its best shooting quarter in the second going 46.2 percent from the field, but UNC led 37-22 at the break.
After scoring just the three points in the first half, Savannah Scott went off for 10 points in the third quarter. Her 10 points helped UNC extend its lead as the Bears outscored the Lady Griz 22-14 in the third and were up by 21 at the end of it.
With the game in hand going into the fourth, UNC gave its bench extended minutes. That led to some sporadic play at times, but it didn't matter as the work had been done for a 68-50 win.
What They Said
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
About the ways, Kianna Williams effects the game
"It's hard to find a better defender in our conference than Kianna Williams. She is by far our best defensive player in the way we can put her on anybody to defend. This was a big team and she can front and is quick to get around them to keep them off balance. But we can switch any position one through four with her and she can get out and guard against guards as well. She has a little nastiness to her too where she is just so competitive and will do whatever it takes to get a stop. Then ever since the Kansas City tournament she has grown in confidence offensively and makes us harder to guard when we have a fourth player that scores in double figures."
Senior Kianna Williams
On the improved offense over the past few weeks
"I think I am playing better than I have been, especially shooting. My coaches and teammates have challenged me to shoot when open and I have really worked on that."
About matching up against opponents best players
I really enjoy playing defense and matching up against the other team's best player. It's a challenge and I really like it when I am matched up against another post player.
Junior Courtney Smith
About how Kianna Williams effects the whole defense
"It's really great knowing that Kiwi is always there on the help side. That's not just in today's game but in every game before that and every practice and every game from now on."
Game Changer
After the fast start Courtney Smith ended up in foul trouble and Savannah Scott and Smith struggled shooting on Saturday, but Kianna Williams stepped up for the Bears. While night in and night out Williams can shut down an opponent's best player, her offensive production has turned the corner recently. That confidence showed on Saturday when she scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including making three 3-pointers, while grabbing four rebounds.
Stat to Know
The Bears were hitting the boards and sharing the ball Saturday afternoon. UNC outrebounded a tough Montana team 36-28 and recorded 21 assists compared to 10 by the Lady Griz.
Game Notes
- For the third straight game, Northern Colorado had four players finish the game in double figures scoring. Seniors, Kianna Williams and Savannah Scott led the team with 13 points each, while Courtney Smith added in 12, and Savannah Smith 11.
- The trio of Savannah Scott, Savannah Smith and Krystal Leger-Walker combined for 17 of the team's 21 assists, Smith leading the way with seven, while Scott had six and Leger-Walker four. Scott also led the team with seven rebounds.
- UNC outshot UM 45.5 percent to 38.0 percent in the game. The Lady Griz shot over 40.0 percent in only one of the four quarters.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado hits the road for the next three games starting at Weber State on Thursday night at 7 pm. The Wildcats are 2-1 in the Big Sky after defeating Southern Utah Saturday, 77-64.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
Northern Colorado controlled the game from the opening tip, winning it and going on an 11-1 run to begin the game. UNC took advantage of Montana's switches on defense to give Courtney Smith an advantage inside as she scored the first six points, and eight of the team's first 11 points.
The Bears ended the first quarter up 22-8 thanks to shooting 61.5 percent compared to 33.3 percent from Montana and an 11-0 run during it.
Savannah Scott hit a 3-pointer as time expired to end the first quarter, and UNC turned it into a 7-0 run to start the second 10 minute period building an eighteen point lead. Montana had its best shooting quarter in the second going 46.2 percent from the field, but UNC led 37-22 at the break.
After scoring just the three points in the first half, Savannah Scott went off for 10 points in the third quarter. Her 10 points helped UNC extend its lead as the Bears outscored the Lady Griz 22-14 in the third and were up by 21 at the end of it.
With the game in hand going into the fourth, UNC gave its bench extended minutes. That led to some sporadic play at times, but it didn't matter as the work had been done for a 68-50 win.
What They Said
Head Coach Kamie Ethridge
About the ways, Kianna Williams effects the game
"It's hard to find a better defender in our conference than Kianna Williams. She is by far our best defensive player in the way we can put her on anybody to defend. This was a big team and she can front and is quick to get around them to keep them off balance. But we can switch any position one through four with her and she can get out and guard against guards as well. She has a little nastiness to her too where she is just so competitive and will do whatever it takes to get a stop. Then ever since the Kansas City tournament she has grown in confidence offensively and makes us harder to guard when we have a fourth player that scores in double figures."
Senior Kianna Williams
On the improved offense over the past few weeks
"I think I am playing better than I have been, especially shooting. My coaches and teammates have challenged me to shoot when open and I have really worked on that."
About matching up against opponents best players
I really enjoy playing defense and matching up against the other team's best player. It's a challenge and I really like it when I am matched up against another post player.
Junior Courtney Smith
About how Kianna Williams effects the whole defense
"It's really great knowing that Kiwi is always there on the help side. That's not just in today's game but in every game before that and every practice and every game from now on."
Game Changer
After the fast start Courtney Smith ended up in foul trouble and Savannah Scott and Smith struggled shooting on Saturday, but Kianna Williams stepped up for the Bears. While night in and night out Williams can shut down an opponent's best player, her offensive production has turned the corner recently. That confidence showed on Saturday when she scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including making three 3-pointers, while grabbing four rebounds.
Stat to Know
The Bears were hitting the boards and sharing the ball Saturday afternoon. UNC outrebounded a tough Montana team 36-28 and recorded 21 assists compared to 10 by the Lady Griz.
Game Notes
- For the third straight game, Northern Colorado had four players finish the game in double figures scoring. Seniors, Kianna Williams and Savannah Scott led the team with 13 points each, while Courtney Smith added in 12, and Savannah Smith 11.
- The trio of Savannah Scott, Savannah Smith and Krystal Leger-Walker combined for 17 of the team's 21 assists, Smith leading the way with seven, while Scott had six and Leger-Walker four. Scott also led the team with seven rebounds.
- UNC outshot UM 45.5 percent to 38.0 percent in the game. The Lady Griz shot over 40.0 percent in only one of the four quarters.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado hits the road for the next three games starting at Weber State on Thursday night at 7 pm. The Wildcats are 2-1 in the Big Sky after defeating Southern Utah Saturday, 77-64.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
Team Stats
UM
NC
FG%
.380
.455
3FG%
.133
.389
FT%
.714
.917
RB
28
36
TO
15
13
STL
6
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballPG
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballG/PG
/ Women's BasketballG
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