University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, December 1
Greeley, Colo.
2pm
University of Northern Colorado
4-3
58
vs
57
SMU
5-4
1
2
3
4
F
SMU
17
14
16
10
57
Northern Colorado
14
16
16
12
58
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Meyer's layup, Isenbarts game leads @UNCBearsWBB to win
12/1/2018 5:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ali Meyer's game-winning layup with four seconds left leads UNC over SMU 58-57
Find a way to win, no matter how it may come is exactly what Northern Colorado women's basketball did on Saturday afternoon. The Bears squeaked past SMU 58-57 thanks to the layup by Ali Meyer with four seconds remaining. Krystal Leger-Walker set up the game-winning play with a steal on the other end of the court 15 seconds earlier before dishing it to Meyer. The Bears, who trailed by as much as seven points in the fourth quarter, earned their third comeback win of the season and fourth overall.
Meyer's layup from Krystal Leger-Walker was the game clincher, but freshman Micayla Isenbart filled in big time for injured guard Savannah Smith. Isenbart led the team with a career-high 20 points, including making five 3-pointers in her first career start.
Along with Isenbart, Alexis Chapman (13) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10) each scored in double figures for the Bears. Meyer scored seven points and extended her streak of 10+ rebounds in a game to five with 13.
Northern Colorado trailed at the end of the first three quarters but made runs each time to either tie or take the lead against the visiting Mustangs.
The first run of the game came at the end of the first quarter when UNC closed it on a 6-2 run with a pair of 3s from Isenbart and Leger-Walker to be down 17-14.
UNC proceeded to cut the lead to one in the second quarter at 24-23 by going on a 7-0 scoring spurt. Following the run, the team did not make another field goal in the half, but its final seven points came from the foul line as they trailed 31-30.
The third quarter was a big quarter for the Bears as they came out hot from behind the arc. Northern Colorado made its first four attempts from behind the arc, two from Isenbart and two from Chapman to build a seven-point lead midway through the quarter. SMU responded with an 8-0 to reclaim the lead going to the fourth 47-46.
Down 53-46 with 7:29 left in the game, UNC called a timeout and proceeded to go on 10-0 run to take lead away from the Mustangs. SMU stopped the run with a pair of free throws inside two minutes and took the lead with 39 seconds remaining.
Chapman was called for a charge as the Bears tried to take the lead following the free throws setting up the Leger-Walker steal and then Meyer game-winner.
What they said
Stat to know
Once again defense in the fourth quarter was key for Northern Colorado to earn the win. The Bears held SMU to 2-of-12 shooting including 0-for-4 from behind the arc.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart earned her first career start on Saturday and had a career-high 20 points. The freshman shot 6-of-9 from the field with five made 3-pointers and 3-for-4 from the line. She added in two blocks and three steals in 38 minutes of play.
- Krystal Leger-Walker was once again the floor general for UNC scoring 10 points, but also found open teammates with nine assists. She did it all for the Bears on both ends of the floor with six rebounds, all defensive, four steals and a block.
- Northern Colorado did a good job of limiting SMU on the boards which was a strength of the Mustangs coming. The Mustangs recorded six offensive rebounds and only had two second chance points off them.
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.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
Meyer's layup from Krystal Leger-Walker was the game clincher, but freshman Micayla Isenbart filled in big time for injured guard Savannah Smith. Isenbart led the team with a career-high 20 points, including making five 3-pointers in her first career start.
Along with Isenbart, Alexis Chapman (13) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10) each scored in double figures for the Bears. Meyer scored seven points and extended her streak of 10+ rebounds in a game to five with 13.
Northern Colorado trailed at the end of the first three quarters but made runs each time to either tie or take the lead against the visiting Mustangs.
The first run of the game came at the end of the first quarter when UNC closed it on a 6-2 run with a pair of 3s from Isenbart and Leger-Walker to be down 17-14.
UNC proceeded to cut the lead to one in the second quarter at 24-23 by going on a 7-0 scoring spurt. Following the run, the team did not make another field goal in the half, but its final seven points came from the foul line as they trailed 31-30.
The third quarter was a big quarter for the Bears as they came out hot from behind the arc. Northern Colorado made its first four attempts from behind the arc, two from Isenbart and two from Chapman to build a seven-point lead midway through the quarter. SMU responded with an 8-0 to reclaim the lead going to the fourth 47-46.
Down 53-46 with 7:29 left in the game, UNC called a timeout and proceeded to go on 10-0 run to take lead away from the Mustangs. SMU stopped the run with a pair of free throws inside two minutes and took the lead with 39 seconds remaining.
Chapman was called for a charge as the Bears tried to take the lead following the free throws setting up the Leger-Walker steal and then Meyer game-winner.
What they said
Stat to know
Once again defense in the fourth quarter was key for Northern Colorado to earn the win. The Bears held SMU to 2-of-12 shooting including 0-for-4 from behind the arc.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart earned her first career start on Saturday and had a career-high 20 points. The freshman shot 6-of-9 from the field with five made 3-pointers and 3-for-4 from the line. She added in two blocks and three steals in 38 minutes of play.
- Krystal Leger-Walker was once again the floor general for UNC scoring 10 points, but also found open teammates with nine assists. She did it all for the Bears on both ends of the floor with six rebounds, all defensive, four steals and a block.
- Northern Colorado did a good job of limiting SMU on the boards which was a strength of the Mustangs coming. The Mustangs recorded six offensive rebounds and only had two second chance points off them.
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.
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
SMU
NC
FG%
.389
.370
3FG%
.300
.500
FT%
.750
.727
RB
32
33
TO
15
18
STL
9
9
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
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