University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Sunday, November 11
Baton Rouge, La.
12 pm MT
University of Northern Colorado
at
LSU
Photo by: Woody Myers
@UNCBearsWBB battles in the bayou Sunday against LSU
11/9/2018 5:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball makes the trip south to LSU to face the Tigers Sunday
Northern Colorado women's basketball heads to the bayou on Sunday looking to upset LSU for the second consecutive season. The Bears, beat LSU at home last season 58-50 and want to repeat that feat again this year in Baton Rouge. Tipoff between the two teams is set for 12 pm MT.
UNC is coming off a 77-69 loss in the season opener at Colorado on Tuesday.
Head coach Jenny Huth looks to have her team execute throughout the whole game on Sunday and finish it out, unlike Tuesday.
"Our energy and focus were really good in the season opener. That is something we did really well, playing with energy and focused and together as a team. But we did not execute great in the second half. In the first half, offensively I thought we executed better. In the second half, it felt like we were not as together as the first, so we need to do that better on Sunday."
While better execution is a goal for Sunday, UNC will be challenged in a different way than the Colorado game. Playing a variety of styles will help the team as they prepare for a wide range of styles of basketball in the Big Sky as well.
"Every game provides for a different game plan. With LSU they are bigger and want to go inside a lot more than the Colorado posts who were more accustomed to shooting the three," Huth said. "LSU will want to pound it in and play more of a power offense. They are great rebounders and clean up their misses really well. They are not as prolific from the 3-point line so that will be a difference as well."
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado opened its 2018-19 season at Colorado, falling in a hard-fought game 77-69.
• Savannah Smith had a huge game for the Bears scoring 32 points while making a program tying record eight 3-pointers.
• In the loss, UNC's offense played well shooting 47.4 percent from the field, but 20 turnovers hurt them.
• LSU started its season with a win at home over Sam Houston State 66-52.
• The Tigers had a trio of players in double figures on Tuesday, led by Ayana Michell's 20.
• This is Northern Colorado's first trip to Baton Rouge. The Bears won the only other matchup in this series last season in Greeley.
Scouting the Tigers
LSU brings a lengthy athletic team to the court and will look to take the ball inside early and often. Forward Ayana Mitchell leads the charge inside coming into the year as a preseason All-SEC second team member who scored 20 points in the team's season opener.
Guards Shanice Norton and Khayla Pointer provide a nice duo on the outside to counteract LSU's inside game. The duo combined for 24 points against Sam Houston State.
The Tigers are picked to finish ninth in the always competitive SEC this season after making the NCAA Tournament last year.
History against LSU
This is only the second time Northern Colorado and LSU have played each other. The first came last year in Greeley in which the Bears won 58-50. UNC's Courtney Smith led the way with a big 26 points inside.
Against the SEC
Last season's game against LSU was the first time and only time Northern Colorado has played against an SEC opponent.
On This Date
This will be the fourth time UNC has played on November 11, the other three occasions coming in 2006, 2007 and 2016. The Bears are 1-2 on the date and 0-1 when on the road.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado plays in its home opener next Friday when Denver comes to town. Before the game, UNC will unveil their banners from last season's championships. Tipoff between the Bears and Pioneers is set for 7 pm.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
UNC is coming off a 77-69 loss in the season opener at Colorado on Tuesday.
Head coach Jenny Huth looks to have her team execute throughout the whole game on Sunday and finish it out, unlike Tuesday.
"Our energy and focus were really good in the season opener. That is something we did really well, playing with energy and focused and together as a team. But we did not execute great in the second half. In the first half, offensively I thought we executed better. In the second half, it felt like we were not as together as the first, so we need to do that better on Sunday."
While better execution is a goal for Sunday, UNC will be challenged in a different way than the Colorado game. Playing a variety of styles will help the team as they prepare for a wide range of styles of basketball in the Big Sky as well.
"Every game provides for a different game plan. With LSU they are bigger and want to go inside a lot more than the Colorado posts who were more accustomed to shooting the three," Huth said. "LSU will want to pound it in and play more of a power offense. They are great rebounders and clean up their misses really well. They are not as prolific from the 3-point line so that will be a difference as well."
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado opened its 2018-19 season at Colorado, falling in a hard-fought game 77-69.
• Savannah Smith had a huge game for the Bears scoring 32 points while making a program tying record eight 3-pointers.
• In the loss, UNC's offense played well shooting 47.4 percent from the field, but 20 turnovers hurt them.
• LSU started its season with a win at home over Sam Houston State 66-52.
• The Tigers had a trio of players in double figures on Tuesday, led by Ayana Michell's 20.
• This is Northern Colorado's first trip to Baton Rouge. The Bears won the only other matchup in this series last season in Greeley.
Scouting the Tigers
LSU brings a lengthy athletic team to the court and will look to take the ball inside early and often. Forward Ayana Mitchell leads the charge inside coming into the year as a preseason All-SEC second team member who scored 20 points in the team's season opener.
Guards Shanice Norton and Khayla Pointer provide a nice duo on the outside to counteract LSU's inside game. The duo combined for 24 points against Sam Houston State.
The Tigers are picked to finish ninth in the always competitive SEC this season after making the NCAA Tournament last year.
History against LSU
This is only the second time Northern Colorado and LSU have played each other. The first came last year in Greeley in which the Bears won 58-50. UNC's Courtney Smith led the way with a big 26 points inside.
Against the SEC
Last season's game against LSU was the first time and only time Northern Colorado has played against an SEC opponent.
On This Date
This will be the fourth time UNC has played on November 11, the other three occasions coming in 2006, 2007 and 2016. The Bears are 1-2 on the date and 0-1 when on the road.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado plays in its home opener next Friday when Denver comes to town. Before the game, UNC will unveil their banners from last season's championships. Tipoff between the Bears and Pioneers is set for 7 pm.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
Players Mentioned
G/PG
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