University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Returning home, @UNCBearsWBB looks to get back in win column
11/30/2018 9:50:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Following a three-game road trip UNC women's basketball hosts SMU Saturday
Coming off a three-game road trip to close out the month of November, Northern Colorado women's basketball is ready to return home Saturday afternoon when they host SMU. The Bears went 2-1 on their road trip, falling in the final game of it to Air Force on Wednesday. UNC aims to bounce back with the 2 pm start.
Opening Tip
• The Bears return home after a 2-1 three-game road trip defeating Colorado State and San Francisco before falling to Air Force.
• Bridget Hintz tied her career-high in scoring last time out with 12 points. She added in eight rebounds as well.
• UNC played the majority of the game against Air Force without Savannah Smith who went out when she took an elbow to the face.
• Ali Meyer is now on a four-game streak with double-figure rebounds grabbing 11 at Air Force.
• SMU comes in on a three-game winning streak. The Mustangs most recently defeated North Texas on Wednesday 73-66.
• Forward Alicia Froling is averaging a double-double with 14.0 points and 11.9 rebounds.
• This is SMU's first ever trip to Greeley.
• Saturday is the UNC women's basketball team's second annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans can toss stuffed animals to be donated.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado closed out its three-game road trip by falling to Air Force 69-57. The Bears struggled shooting (35.6%) and turned the ball over too much (18). Bridget Hintz led the team with 12 points, while Ali Meyer added in 11 rebounds. The Bears played the majority of the game without Savannah Smith who left it early after taking an elbow to the face.
Scouting the Mustangs
SMU comes into Saturday's game as a confident team on a three-game win streak, most recently defeating North Texas 73-66 on Wednesday night.
The Mustangs have a similar build to the Bears with three players averaging over 10 points per game led by Alicia Froling's 14.0 ppg. Froling is a key for SMU as she averages a double-double with 11.9 rebounds per game including a lot of second chance points off of 4.6 offensive rebounds a game.
While Froling provides teams with plenty to handle on the inside, Kayla White, Amber Bacon and Ariana Whitfield give SMU a solid backcourt. White and Brown are scoring over 10.0 points a game and Whitfield leads the team with 3.6 assists a game.
Defensively, SMU likes to switch up its defenses to keep its opponents off balance. The Mustangs are holding opponents to 55.5 points a game and shooting 33.8 percent. The Mustangs have faced one other Big Sky school this year, defeating Northern Arizona last week 55-48.
History against SMU
UNC and SMU have only played against each other one other time in the programs' history coming in 2014. The Bears opened the season at SMU winning former coach Kamie Ethridge's first game as the team's head coach.
Against the AAC
The Bears have played against four teams from the American Athletic Conference. UNC is 2-2 in those games with wins over SMU and DePaul while losing to UConn and South Florida. The win against DePaul last season was the program's first-ever against a Top 25 ranked team.
On This Date
UNC is 5-6 when playing on the first day of the 12th month of the year. The team last played on the date in 2015 defeating Utah State at home 74-60. The Bears are 1-4 when at home on the date.
Home Sweet Home
The Bears enjoyed playing on their home court last season, going 11-3 inside Bank of Colorado Arena. The strong home record included a 10-game win streak on home court. UNC extended its win streak at home to seven games with the win over Denver.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado takes next week off to focus on finals, before returning to the court on December 13. The Bears will be at their home court on the 13th when Chattanooga visits Bank of Colorado Arena. Tipoff for the game is set for 7 pm.
Opening Tip
• The Bears return home after a 2-1 three-game road trip defeating Colorado State and San Francisco before falling to Air Force.
• Bridget Hintz tied her career-high in scoring last time out with 12 points. She added in eight rebounds as well.
• UNC played the majority of the game against Air Force without Savannah Smith who went out when she took an elbow to the face.
• Ali Meyer is now on a four-game streak with double-figure rebounds grabbing 11 at Air Force.
• SMU comes in on a three-game winning streak. The Mustangs most recently defeated North Texas on Wednesday 73-66.
• Forward Alicia Froling is averaging a double-double with 14.0 points and 11.9 rebounds.
• This is SMU's first ever trip to Greeley.
• Saturday is the UNC women's basketball team's second annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans can toss stuffed animals to be donated.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado closed out its three-game road trip by falling to Air Force 69-57. The Bears struggled shooting (35.6%) and turned the ball over too much (18). Bridget Hintz led the team with 12 points, while Ali Meyer added in 11 rebounds. The Bears played the majority of the game without Savannah Smith who left it early after taking an elbow to the face.
Scouting the Mustangs
SMU comes into Saturday's game as a confident team on a three-game win streak, most recently defeating North Texas 73-66 on Wednesday night.
The Mustangs have a similar build to the Bears with three players averaging over 10 points per game led by Alicia Froling's 14.0 ppg. Froling is a key for SMU as she averages a double-double with 11.9 rebounds per game including a lot of second chance points off of 4.6 offensive rebounds a game.
While Froling provides teams with plenty to handle on the inside, Kayla White, Amber Bacon and Ariana Whitfield give SMU a solid backcourt. White and Brown are scoring over 10.0 points a game and Whitfield leads the team with 3.6 assists a game.
Defensively, SMU likes to switch up its defenses to keep its opponents off balance. The Mustangs are holding opponents to 55.5 points a game and shooting 33.8 percent. The Mustangs have faced one other Big Sky school this year, defeating Northern Arizona last week 55-48.
History against SMU
UNC and SMU have only played against each other one other time in the programs' history coming in 2014. The Bears opened the season at SMU winning former coach Kamie Ethridge's first game as the team's head coach.
Against the AAC
The Bears have played against four teams from the American Athletic Conference. UNC is 2-2 in those games with wins over SMU and DePaul while losing to UConn and South Florida. The win against DePaul last season was the program's first-ever against a Top 25 ranked team.
On This Date
UNC is 5-6 when playing on the first day of the 12th month of the year. The team last played on the date in 2015 defeating Utah State at home 74-60. The Bears are 1-4 when at home on the date.
Home Sweet Home
The Bears enjoyed playing on their home court last season, going 11-3 inside Bank of Colorado Arena. The strong home record included a 10-game win streak on home court. UNC extended its win streak at home to seven games with the win over Denver.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado takes next week off to focus on finals, before returning to the court on December 13. The Bears will be at their home court on the 13th when Chattanooga visits Bank of Colorado Arena. Tipoff for the game is set for 7 pm.
Players Mentioned
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 10)
Tuesday, February 10
Neenah George and Kristen Mattio Press Conference vs Idaho State
Saturday, February 07
Aniah Hall and Kristen Mattio Press Conference Vs Weber State
Thursday, February 05
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 3)
Tuesday, February 03



















