University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Friday, December 21
Provo, Utah
12 pm
University of Northern Colorado
5-4
50
at
70
BYU
8-3
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Colo.
17
5
10
18
50
BYU
11
22
13
24
70
Photo by: Rob Trubia
Smith sets program record in loss at BYU
12/21/2018 3:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Savannah Smith sets program record for made 3s at BYU
PROVO, Utah – Northern Colorado women's basketball was unable to overcome being outscored 22-5 in the second quarter, falling to the Cougars 70-50. The loss takes UNC into the conference season with a 5-4 record.
In the game, Savannah Smith became Northern Colorado's all-time leader in made 3-pointers with 208, passing former Bear Kaisha Brown. (2008-12). Smith finished the game with four made 3s and 18 points overall.
The game started well for UNC as Savannah Smith drained a pair of 3-pointers to get the Bears rolling in the first quarter.
Defense, which has become the calling card for the team, led to offense for UNC as they went on 13-1 run to lead 15-9. During that time, the Cougars turned the ball over four times and held without a basket for 6:37. That long scoring drought allowed the team to lead 17-11 after the first.
BYU opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run to take a five-point lead as the Bears went on 5 min scoring drought. UNC's offensive struggles continued throughout the whole quarter scoring just five points and turning the ball over eight times in it.
The Cougars outscored UNC 22-5 in the second and led 33-22 at the half.
In the third quarter, BYU went on a quick 9-0 run to expand their lead to 18, but the Bears dug in after that holding the Cougars to two points and no field goals after that. UNC chipped away at the Cougar lead, trailing 46-32 going to the fourth quarter.
BYU scored the first six points of the final quarter to lead by 20 and put away any shots on a UNC comeback.
What they said
Head coach Jenny Huth
Overall thoughts
"We started out pretty good and being the aggressors, which is what we asked. We really worked on defending without fouling and limiting them to one shot. We did that well today. I thought their pressure on Savannah (Smith) and Krystal (Leger-Walker) really bothered us. They were leaving our posts with 15 footers which really aren't our strength. Those are two things that we are going to have to continue to work on is handling pressure and getting the offense flowing even when they are giving up open looks."
About the team's half-court defense and turnovers
"When we were in the half court we did a good job. We matched them in rebounds which I wanted us to be a little better on but overall, we did well with that. Turnovers are what killed up leading to easy baskets for them."
Assessing the team going into Big Sky play
"I feel like we have been growing. When you have a new staff and system that is a transition. I think we are starting to figure out that we can execute and can play good defense. In those situations, we have to keep doing that. We have to realize that this is a process and need to keep growing as we go into the conference season."
Stat to know
Turnovers and points off turnovers were the difference in the game, as the Bears turned the ball over 22 times and led to 26 points for BYU.
Game notes
- Ali Meyer extended her streak of games with double-figure rebounds to six games by grabbing 13 in the game.
- Northern Colorado shot 14-for-18 from the free throw line.
- Alexis Chapman scored 15 points in the game, including making six of her nine free throws.
What's ahead
Northern Colorado will take a small break for the holidays before starting up Big Sky play on December 29 when Sacramento State comes to town. The Bears and Hornets will tip off at 2 pm inside Bank of Colorado Arena. Tickets are available for sale by clicking here.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
In the game, Savannah Smith became Northern Colorado's all-time leader in made 3-pointers with 208, passing former Bear Kaisha Brown. (2008-12). Smith finished the game with four made 3s and 18 points overall.
The game started well for UNC as Savannah Smith drained a pair of 3-pointers to get the Bears rolling in the first quarter.
Defense, which has become the calling card for the team, led to offense for UNC as they went on 13-1 run to lead 15-9. During that time, the Cougars turned the ball over four times and held without a basket for 6:37. That long scoring drought allowed the team to lead 17-11 after the first.
BYU opened the second quarter on a 13-2 run to take a five-point lead as the Bears went on 5 min scoring drought. UNC's offensive struggles continued throughout the whole quarter scoring just five points and turning the ball over eight times in it.
The Cougars outscored UNC 22-5 in the second and led 33-22 at the half.
In the third quarter, BYU went on a quick 9-0 run to expand their lead to 18, but the Bears dug in after that holding the Cougars to two points and no field goals after that. UNC chipped away at the Cougar lead, trailing 46-32 going to the fourth quarter.
BYU scored the first six points of the final quarter to lead by 20 and put away any shots on a UNC comeback.
What they said
Head coach Jenny Huth
Overall thoughts
"We started out pretty good and being the aggressors, which is what we asked. We really worked on defending without fouling and limiting them to one shot. We did that well today. I thought their pressure on Savannah (Smith) and Krystal (Leger-Walker) really bothered us. They were leaving our posts with 15 footers which really aren't our strength. Those are two things that we are going to have to continue to work on is handling pressure and getting the offense flowing even when they are giving up open looks."
About the team's half-court defense and turnovers
"When we were in the half court we did a good job. We matched them in rebounds which I wanted us to be a little better on but overall, we did well with that. Turnovers are what killed up leading to easy baskets for them."
Assessing the team going into Big Sky play
"I feel like we have been growing. When you have a new staff and system that is a transition. I think we are starting to figure out that we can execute and can play good defense. In those situations, we have to keep doing that. We have to realize that this is a process and need to keep growing as we go into the conference season."
Stat to know
Turnovers and points off turnovers were the difference in the game, as the Bears turned the ball over 22 times and led to 26 points for BYU.
Game notes
- Ali Meyer extended her streak of games with double-figure rebounds to six games by grabbing 13 in the game.
- Northern Colorado shot 14-for-18 from the free throw line.
- Alexis Chapman scored 15 points in the game, including making six of her nine free throws.
What's ahead
Northern Colorado will take a small break for the holidays before starting up Big Sky play on December 29 when Sacramento State comes to town. The Bears and Hornets will tip off at 2 pm inside Bank of Colorado Arena. Tickets are available for sale by clicking here.
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
NC
BYU
FG%
.283
.415
3FG%
.250
.391
FT%
.778
.778
RB
40
40
TO
22
14
STL
6
13
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
6
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
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