University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, January 5
Moscow, Idaho
3 pm MT
University of Northern Colorado
8-4
86
at
72
Idaho
6-7
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Colo.
13
15
26
32
86
Idaho
12
25
23
12
72
Photo by: Woody Myers
Big fourth quarter helps @UNCBearsWBB comeback against Idaho
1/5/2019 5:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado used a 19-0 fourth quarter run to defeat Idaho
MOSCOW, Idaho – Alone back at the top of the Big Sky standings is where Northern Colorado (8-4, 3-0 Big Sky) women's stands after a 12-point comeback win at Idaho Saturday afternoon. UNC held UI scoreless for 6:08 in the fourth quarter leading to a 19-0 run that both put the team in the lead and sealed it for an 86-72 final.
Reigning Big Sky Player of the Year Savannah Smith helped lead the charge for UNC as she scored 18 of her 22 points in the second half and had three of her four assists in the second half as well. Smith struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, as she picked up her second foul just 5:34 into the game.
The Bears ended the game with five of their six players that played scored in double figures. Joining Smith, where Krystal Leger-Walker with 19 and Alexis Chapman, Ali Meyer and Micayla Isenbart each chipping in 12.
Northern Colorado's big comeback was keyed by hot shooting from behind the arc and great defense. The team went 5-for-5 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter and shot 63.6 percent overall. While they shot so well, UNC held Idaho to 23.5 percent shooting and only one 3-pointer.
The Bears outshot UI 42.9 percent to 27.8 in the first quarter but had six turnovers to keep UI in it as UNC led by one 13-12.
Idaho's offense played well in the second quarter to take the lead at the break by shooting 50.0 percent and making four 3-pointers.
Both teams were feeling it offensively in the third quarter shooting at least 50.0 percent in it. Idaho led throughout, but a Smith 4-point play in the final seconds gave the Bears the momentum they needed to complete the comeback in the fourth.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
What was the key to the fourth quarter dominance?
"The key in the fourth quarter was our mentality. We refocused on the game plan defensively and executed it."
On Savannah Smith's second half play
"Since Savannah (Smith) picked up two fouls in the first half, she was just out of rhythm a bit. She's a senior and a veteran and she knows what it takes to win. She refocused during halftime and our team did a good job setting screens for her to get open shots and we executed. She's a great player and most great players are resilient."
Stat to know
Northern Colorado shot a season-high 55.0 percent from beyond the arc from the game, including going 8-for-9 in the second half.
Game notes
- Northern Colorado has now won 13 straight regular season games against Big Sky opponents dating back to last year.
- Ali Meyer's streak of games with 10 or more rebounds ended at nine games on Saturday as she missed it by one rebound. She ended the game with 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Bridget Hintz just missed out on a double-double for the second consecutive game grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring nine points.
- The 12-point comeback is UNC's third double-figure comeback of the year. It ties for the eighth largest comeback in the program's Division I history.
Around the Big Sky
Northern Colorado entered Saturday as one of three undefeated teams in the Big Sky and leaves it as the lone one. The Bears defeated Idaho, while Montana fell at Portland State 78-60. Southern Utah won its first Big Sky game of the year in overtime over Weber State, 84-79.
What's ahead
UNC stays in the Pacific Northwest to take on Eastern Washington on Monday night at 7 pm MST. The Bears conclude their three-game road trip next Saturday at Montana.
Northern Colorado returns to Bank of Colorado Arena on January 14 when Montana State visits. Tickets for that game and all UNC women's basketball games can be purchased anytime 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.
Reigning Big Sky Player of the Year Savannah Smith helped lead the charge for UNC as she scored 18 of her 22 points in the second half and had three of her four assists in the second half as well. Smith struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, as she picked up her second foul just 5:34 into the game.
The Bears ended the game with five of their six players that played scored in double figures. Joining Smith, where Krystal Leger-Walker with 19 and Alexis Chapman, Ali Meyer and Micayla Isenbart each chipping in 12.
Northern Colorado's big comeback was keyed by hot shooting from behind the arc and great defense. The team went 5-for-5 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter and shot 63.6 percent overall. While they shot so well, UNC held Idaho to 23.5 percent shooting and only one 3-pointer.
The Bears outshot UI 42.9 percent to 27.8 in the first quarter but had six turnovers to keep UI in it as UNC led by one 13-12.
Idaho's offense played well in the second quarter to take the lead at the break by shooting 50.0 percent and making four 3-pointers.
Both teams were feeling it offensively in the third quarter shooting at least 50.0 percent in it. Idaho led throughout, but a Smith 4-point play in the final seconds gave the Bears the momentum they needed to complete the comeback in the fourth.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
What was the key to the fourth quarter dominance?
"The key in the fourth quarter was our mentality. We refocused on the game plan defensively and executed it."
On Savannah Smith's second half play
"Since Savannah (Smith) picked up two fouls in the first half, she was just out of rhythm a bit. She's a senior and a veteran and she knows what it takes to win. She refocused during halftime and our team did a good job setting screens for her to get open shots and we executed. She's a great player and most great players are resilient."
Stat to know
Northern Colorado shot a season-high 55.0 percent from beyond the arc from the game, including going 8-for-9 in the second half.
Game notes
- Northern Colorado has now won 13 straight regular season games against Big Sky opponents dating back to last year.
- Ali Meyer's streak of games with 10 or more rebounds ended at nine games on Saturday as she missed it by one rebound. She ended the game with 12 points and nine rebounds.
- Bridget Hintz just missed out on a double-double for the second consecutive game grabbing 10 rebounds and scoring nine points.
- The 12-point comeback is UNC's third double-figure comeback of the year. It ties for the eighth largest comeback in the program's Division I history.
Around the Big Sky
Northern Colorado entered Saturday as one of three undefeated teams in the Big Sky and leaves it as the lone one. The Bears defeated Idaho, while Montana fell at Portland State 78-60. Southern Utah won its first Big Sky game of the year in overtime over Weber State, 84-79.
What's ahead
UNC stays in the Pacific Northwest to take on Eastern Washington on Monday night at 7 pm MST. The Bears conclude their three-game road trip next Saturday at Montana.
Northern Colorado returns to Bank of Colorado Arena on January 14 when Montana State visits. Tickets for that game and all UNC women's basketball games can be purchased anytime 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
UI
FG%
.473
.394
3FG%
.550
.345
FT%
.920
.750
RB
39
33
TO
11
10
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
/ Women's BasketballUNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 10)
Tuesday, February 10
Neenah George and Kristen Mattio Press Conference vs Idaho State
Saturday, February 07
Aniah Hall and Kristen Mattio Press Conference Vs Weber State
Thursday, February 05
UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 3)
Tuesday, February 03
