University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Wednesday, February 28
Greeley, Colo
7pm
University of Northern Colorado
22-6, 14-3BSC
63
vs
60
Portland State
16-12, 10-7BSC
1
2
3
4
F
Portland State
14
9
14
23
60
Northern Colorado
17
19
14
13
63
Recap: @UNCBearsWBB Wins Big Sky Regular Season Title
2/28/2018 11:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado women's basketball won its first outright Big Sky Championship with a 63-60 win over Portland State
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball made history Wednesday night. The team clinched the programs first outright Big Sky regular season title with a 63-60 win over Portland State (16-12, 10-7 Big Sky. The win also gives the Bears (22-6, 14-3 Big Sky) the top seed in next week's Big Sky Tournament in Reno, Nevada.
(2/28/2018) WBB vs Portland State
While Clarke scored six of her 10 points in the game for the team during the big run, it was Savannah Scott in her return to the court that had the most impressive game. The senior who had missed the past three games due to a leg injury showed no signs of rust as she scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting including three triples along with grabbing four rebounds.
Holding a 36-23 lead at the half, UNC and PSU played an even third quarter each scoring 14 points each.
Portland made a push at the Northern Colorado lead with a 9-0 run to cut it to six with 3:19 remaining. The Bears' Savannahs responded with a pair of 3s, first Scott from the left corner and then Smith at the top of the key to push the lead back to double figures.
Senior Kianna Williams closed the game out for Northern Colorado, hitting a jumper at the elbow with 1:36 remaining to put the team back up 10 and then making three of her four free throw attempts inside the final minute to secure the UNC win and Big Sky title.
What They Said
Head coach Kamie Ethridge
Overall thoughts on the game
"The title has been in reach and right in front of us all year long. We have had the target on our backs all year long and it just feels nice to win it. We have faced plenty of adversity and overcome it like championship teams do. Portland State is a tough team to play with the zone they play. They are very good at it and you do not see it often so they make for a tough matchup."
Senior Savannah Scott
About how tonight's win feels
"That's not the only net we want to take down, we want to cut down the net in Reno as well, but tonight feels great."
Freshman Tiarna Clarke
On hitting a pair of big shots during the 11-0 run.
"In the last few games, I have gained confidence and know my teammates have it in me too. It just feels good to see the shots go through the net."
Game Changer
Senior Savannah Scott returned to the court for Northern Colorado after missing three games due to a leg injury. Scott looked to be in her usual form making plays all over the floor. She finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed three rebounds, a steal and assist.
Stat to Know
Northern Colorado led for 38:05 of the ball game, controlling it throughout. The game was tied just twice and PSU never lead in the game.
Game Notes
- The Bears outshot the Vikings 44.4 percent to 38.6 percent.
- Northern Colorado scored 20 points off 21 PSU turnovers.
- UNC now knows when its first game of the Big Sky Tournament will be. The team will play on Wednesday, March 5 at 1:05 pm MT.
What's Ahead
The Bears will play its final home game of the regular season Friday night when Sacramento State comes to town. Tipoff between UNC and Sac State is set for 7 pm MT. The Hornets played at North Dakota Wednesday night, winning 72-66.
Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets, stopping by the UNC Ticket Office open Monday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm and one hour before tipoff or call 970-351-4849.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
While Clarke scored six of her 10 points in the game for the team during the big run, it was Savannah Scott in her return to the court that had the most impressive game. The senior who had missed the past three games due to a leg injury showed no signs of rust as she scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting including three triples along with grabbing four rebounds.
Holding a 36-23 lead at the half, UNC and PSU played an even third quarter each scoring 14 points each.
Portland made a push at the Northern Colorado lead with a 9-0 run to cut it to six with 3:19 remaining. The Bears' Savannahs responded with a pair of 3s, first Scott from the left corner and then Smith at the top of the key to push the lead back to double figures.
Senior Kianna Williams closed the game out for Northern Colorado, hitting a jumper at the elbow with 1:36 remaining to put the team back up 10 and then making three of her four free throw attempts inside the final minute to secure the UNC win and Big Sky title.
What They Said
Head coach Kamie Ethridge
Overall thoughts on the game
"The title has been in reach and right in front of us all year long. We have had the target on our backs all year long and it just feels nice to win it. We have faced plenty of adversity and overcome it like championship teams do. Portland State is a tough team to play with the zone they play. They are very good at it and you do not see it often so they make for a tough matchup."
Senior Savannah Scott
About how tonight's win feels
"That's not the only net we want to take down, we want to cut down the net in Reno as well, but tonight feels great."
Freshman Tiarna Clarke
On hitting a pair of big shots during the 11-0 run.
"In the last few games, I have gained confidence and know my teammates have it in me too. It just feels good to see the shots go through the net."
Game Changer
Senior Savannah Scott returned to the court for Northern Colorado after missing three games due to a leg injury. Scott looked to be in her usual form making plays all over the floor. She finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed three rebounds, a steal and assist.
Stat to Know
Northern Colorado led for 38:05 of the ball game, controlling it throughout. The game was tied just twice and PSU never lead in the game.
Game Notes
- The Bears outshot the Vikings 44.4 percent to 38.6 percent.
- Northern Colorado scored 20 points off 21 PSU turnovers.
- UNC now knows when its first game of the Big Sky Tournament will be. The team will play on Wednesday, March 5 at 1:05 pm MT.
What's Ahead
The Bears will play its final home game of the regular season Friday night when Sacramento State comes to town. Tipoff between UNC and Sac State is set for 7 pm MT. The Hornets played at North Dakota Wednesday night, winning 72-66.
Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets, stopping by the UNC Ticket Office open Monday-Friday 10 am – 5 pm and one hour before tipoff or call 970-351-4849.
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
PSU
NC
FG%
.386
.444
3FG%
.333
.364
FT%
.714
.583
RB
38
32
TO
21
23
STL
12
11
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballPG
/ Women's BasketballG
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