Freshman Lead the Way as Bears Block Falcons

Tuesday, November 19

Greeley, Colo.

7 pm

University of Northern Colorado

2-3,0-0Big Sky

Air Force

1-4,0-0Mountain West

Air Force

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

11/19/2019 10:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado set a program record with 12 blocked shots in the 72-62 win over Air Force

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

Northern Colorado women's basketball made it two-straight wins, as the team beat Air Force, 72-62. UNC set a division I program record with 12 team blocks against the Falcons.

"Air Force is a scrappy team, so it's a hard way to play basketball at times," head coach Jenny Huth said. "We had a size advantage inside and we wanted to capitalize on it. We knew had to scrap and claw with them. We matched their intensity in different areas at different times during the game. We are growing and we are learning to play together better. I think we are spreading the floor and keeping the game simple has been working for us."

Alisha Davis was the major contributor to the record-setting night, finishing with five blocks, also a new career best for the freshman. In addition, Davis recorded her first career double-double finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while shooting five-of-seven from the floor.

"I just tried to help my teammates and be there if they needed me. I want to have their backs. I think at SMU, we played with a lot of energy and passion. That was our goal to play with energy and passion. We made sure we talked to each other on the court and on the bench."

"Alisha Davis has a knack for blocking shots without fouling," Huth said. "She has really long arms and good timing. The size advantage was important and we capitalized on that."

The defense was stingy on Tuesday night, holding Air Force to a 30% shooting percentage, including 18% in the first quarter.

Kadie Deaton led the Bears with a new-career, scoring 18 points on four-of-11 shooting and converting 10-of-13 free throws.

"From our scouting, Air Force uses a lot of pressure defense," Deaton said. "I needed to be tough with the ball and getting contact. That's how I kept getting to the line. I just needed to be strong, cut to the basket and my teammates were getting me good passes."

UNC shot 41% from the floor on Tuesday night and 83% from the free throw line. The Bears also held the rebound edge with 52 to the Falcons' 40. Four players had five or more rebounds, led by Davis with her new career-high of 10.

The Bears started fast in the game, racing out to a 13-4 lead over Air Force. The Falcons would pull the game back with 6-0 run. Jasmine Gayles scored five of her 16 points in the quarter to give UNC the lead, 16-10.

Air Force would pull close to UNC in the second quarter, shooting 47% and outscoring the Bears 21-18. Deaton had four points in the quarter and UNC went into half with a 34-31 lead.

In the third quarter, the Falcons cut the Bears lead to one at 36-35. Davis responded with her first block to preserve the UNC lead. Abby Kain came off the bench and gave the Bears two big shots to rebuild the lead to five. UNC would keep Air Force at arms-length, cued by Deaton's nine, third-quarter points. Along with Deaton, Davis recorded four of her five blocks in the quarter.

UNC had a 52-43 lead heading to the fourth quarter. The Bears had their best shooting quarter of the game, going six-of-10. UNC would close out Air Force to win the game 72-62.

Along with Davis and Deaton, Gayles set a new career-mark with 16 points. Gayles went five-of-12 shooting and was two-of-five from three-point range.

The three freshmen combined for 46 of the team's 72 points.

"I think this balance[freshman/upperclassman] is going to be really cool because our upper classman will be ready for Big Sky play and they know what to expect," Huth added. "They are teaching the freshman the way. Today, the freshman showed up and really took over the game."

Game Notes

Northern Colorado's bench outscored their opponents for the fourth time this season, with a 22-7 advantage over Air Force
UNC also had a 36-24 edge scoring in the paint, while getting 19 second chance points to the Falcons 14.
Jasmine Gayles had a game-high, +12 against the Falcons. Without Gayles on the court, UNC was -2.
The Bears 12 blocked shots broke the team's previous record of 11, recorded against Colgate on December 28^th, 2010.
Alisha Davis posted five blocks, which is tied for fourth most in Division 1 history. Davis is tied with Stephanie Lee who had five blocks in seven separate games and Courtney Smith who had five blocks twice.