University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, December 29
Greeley, Colo.
2pm
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Sacramento State
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
A new season begins, @UNCBearsWBB Opens Big Sky play vs Sacramento State
12/28/2018 11:47:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Following going 5-4 in the non-conference season, UNC turns towards the Big Sky season
A new season begins for Northern Colorado women's basketball as they start Big Sky Conference play on Saturday against Sacramento State. The Bears, who won both the 2017-18 Big Sky Regular Season and Tournament titles last season begins its run at another title at 2 pm inside Bank of Colorado Arena.
Fans can purchase tickets now by clicking here. Bring your kids to the games this weekend as well by getting the online only special buy one adult ticket, get a free kids ticket by visiting this link.
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado closed out its non-conference season with a 5-4 record, after falling at BYU.
• In the game at BYU, Savannah Smith became the program's all-time leader in made 3-pointers with 208. Smith scored a team-leading 18 points in the game.
• Alexis Chapman continues to be the Bears second leading scorer with 15 points at BYU. She is averaging 12.8 this season.
• Ali Meyer stretched her streak of consecutive double-digit rebound games to seven, with 13 against UTC.
• Sacramento State is an even 4-4 on the year, including a win over Illinois.
• Sacramento State leads the Big Sky in rebounds per game, grabbing 46.38.
Last Time Out
Live ball turnovers hurt Northern Colorado as they fell at BYU to close out the non-conference season 70-50. UNC turned the ball over 22 times leading to 26 points for the Cougars. Savannah Smith led the team with 18 points and became the program's all-time leader in made 3-pointers.
Scouting the Hornets
A fast pace to the game is exactly what Sacramento State likes to do as they pressure teams all game long and quickly get down the floor and shoot quickly on offense.
The Hornets average shooting 40.25 3-pointers a game, making only 9.3 though, looking to grab the offensive rebound. The inside duo of Hannah Friend and Kennedy Nicholas take advantage of those offensive boards combining for 12.1 a game. The duo leads the team in scoring with Friend scoring 21.4 a game and Nicolas coming in with 14.1. Guard Tiara Scott is the only other Hornet in double digits with 13.5 points a game.
Sacramento State's defensive pressure helps them force 20.4 turnovers a game and 11.5 of them come via the steal. Opponents who are able to handle the pressure are able to get easy shots against Sacramento State though as they are shooting 46.0 percent from the field. The Hornets were picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky this season.
History against Sacramento State
Northern Colorado and Sacramento State had never played each other until the Bears joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season. Since then UNC is 14-9 against the Hornets, including a six-game win streak from 2011-2013.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 124-99. Overall, the team is 136-137 against Big Sky schools.
On This Date
The Bears are 7-5 when playing on December 29, including a 4-2 record at home. The Bears last played in the date in 2016, also against Sacramento State when they won 95-88.
Home Sweet Home
The Bears enjoyed playing on their home court last season, going 11-3 inside Bank of Colorado Arena. Currently, UNC is on a nine-game win streak at home including being 3-0 this season.
Getting Defensive
Defensive has become a calling card for the 2018-19 Bears as they are ranked second in the Big Sky in both points allowed per game and defensive field goal percentage. UNC's opponents are scoring 64.0 points a game trailing only Portland State in the conference, while teams are shooting 37.4 percent against them. Once again, Portland State leads the conference in that category with teams shooting 33.3 percent against them.
What's Ahead?
Ring in the New Year with UNC as they host Portland State on New Year's Eve. The Bears and Vikings will tip-off at 6 pm MST.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
Fans can purchase tickets now by clicking here. Bring your kids to the games this weekend as well by getting the online only special buy one adult ticket, get a free kids ticket by visiting this link.
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado closed out its non-conference season with a 5-4 record, after falling at BYU.
• In the game at BYU, Savannah Smith became the program's all-time leader in made 3-pointers with 208. Smith scored a team-leading 18 points in the game.
• Alexis Chapman continues to be the Bears second leading scorer with 15 points at BYU. She is averaging 12.8 this season.
• Ali Meyer stretched her streak of consecutive double-digit rebound games to seven, with 13 against UTC.
• Sacramento State is an even 4-4 on the year, including a win over Illinois.
• Sacramento State leads the Big Sky in rebounds per game, grabbing 46.38.
Last Time Out
Live ball turnovers hurt Northern Colorado as they fell at BYU to close out the non-conference season 70-50. UNC turned the ball over 22 times leading to 26 points for the Cougars. Savannah Smith led the team with 18 points and became the program's all-time leader in made 3-pointers.
Scouting the Hornets
A fast pace to the game is exactly what Sacramento State likes to do as they pressure teams all game long and quickly get down the floor and shoot quickly on offense.
The Hornets average shooting 40.25 3-pointers a game, making only 9.3 though, looking to grab the offensive rebound. The inside duo of Hannah Friend and Kennedy Nicholas take advantage of those offensive boards combining for 12.1 a game. The duo leads the team in scoring with Friend scoring 21.4 a game and Nicolas coming in with 14.1. Guard Tiara Scott is the only other Hornet in double digits with 13.5 points a game.
Sacramento State's defensive pressure helps them force 20.4 turnovers a game and 11.5 of them come via the steal. Opponents who are able to handle the pressure are able to get easy shots against Sacramento State though as they are shooting 46.0 percent from the field. The Hornets were picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky this season.
History against Sacramento State
Northern Colorado and Sacramento State had never played each other until the Bears joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season. Since then UNC is 14-9 against the Hornets, including a six-game win streak from 2011-2013.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 124-99. Overall, the team is 136-137 against Big Sky schools.
On This Date
The Bears are 7-5 when playing on December 29, including a 4-2 record at home. The Bears last played in the date in 2016, also against Sacramento State when they won 95-88.
Home Sweet Home
The Bears enjoyed playing on their home court last season, going 11-3 inside Bank of Colorado Arena. Currently, UNC is on a nine-game win streak at home including being 3-0 this season.
Getting Defensive
Defensive has become a calling card for the 2018-19 Bears as they are ranked second in the Big Sky in both points allowed per game and defensive field goal percentage. UNC's opponents are scoring 64.0 points a game trailing only Portland State in the conference, while teams are shooting 37.4 percent against them. Once again, Portland State leads the conference in that category with teams shooting 33.3 percent against them.
What's Ahead?
Ring in the New Year with UNC as they host Portland State on New Year's Eve. The Bears and Vikings will tip-off at 6 pm MST.
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
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
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