University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, February 16
Greeley, Colo.
2 pm
University of Northern Colorado
16-8, 11-4BSC
77
vs
72
Idaho
13-9, 10-3BSC
1
2
3
4
F
Idaho
12
17
21
22
72
Northern Colorado
12
23
12
30
77
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
@UNCBearsWBB seize the moment against Idaho in win
2/16/2019 5:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball used a 30-point fourth quarter to defeat Idaho
Northern Colorado women's basketball seized the moment Saturday afternoon inside Bank of Colorado Arena with a 77-72 win over Idaho. The Bears used a 30 point fourth quarter to earn the comeback win as they trailed by three entering it.
It was a collective team effort in the win as UNC had four players finish in double figures scoring led by Savannah Smith's 35 point game. She also added in six assists, six steals and three rebounds. The six steals match a career-high for the senior guard.
Joining Smith in double-digits scoring were Ali Meyer, Krystal Leger-Walker and Alexis Chapman all scoring 10 points. Meyer recorded her third double-double of the season by also grabbing 11 rebounds, eight of them came in the second half.
Both teams known for their offense got out to a slow start on Saturday ending the first quarter in a 12 all tie.
Northern Colorado took the lead into the half using an 8-0 run midway through the second quarter to go up by nine and end it up 35-29. Smith scored 12 of her first half 15 points in that second quarter, shooting 5-of-6 from the field as Northern Colorado shot 55.6 percent from the field during it.
The Vandals showed they wouldn't back down coming out of the half on an 8-0 run to take a two-point lead over UNC. Overall, there were four ties and five lead changes in the third, but UI entered the fourth up 50-47.
It was a battle between the top two players in the Big Sky Conference during the fourth quarter as Savannah Smith and Idaho's Mikayla Ferenz traded shot for shot. Smith outdueled Ferenz scoring 13 points to her 12 and had a trio of assists.
The Bears went on an 8-0 run to claim the lead from Idaho early on and never looked back. Smith had an impact on all eight of UNC's points during the run starting it with a three-point play the old fashion way and assisting on a Leger-Walker 3-pointer and Meyer layup.
Northern Colorado extended the lead to as much as 10 with 3:41 remaining and put it away at the free throw line.
What they said
Stat to know
Ball movement and team basketball were key for Northern Colorado's win on Saturday as the Bears assisted on 17 of its 27 made baskets. Savannah Smith led the way with six assists, while Krystal Leger-Walker added in another five.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart earned her second career start and played a career-best 40 minutes for the Bears. Her box score numbers of six points, seven rebounds and a steal are modest compared to the impact she had on the game.
- Abby Kain was a big spark off the bench in the first half for UNC scoring six points and recording an assist as Ali Meyer battled foul trouble.
- Northern Colorado forced 19 Idaho turnovers including 11 of them via steal.
Around the Big Sky
The big game of the day in the conference was Montana hosting Idaho State. The Lady Griz held off a late ISU run to win 60-59. Portland State sits in first place of the Big Sky at 11-3 with Idaho at 10-3 and UNC and ISU at 11-4 all tied for second place.
What's ahead
The Bears are now off for over a week, not returning to the court until February 25 when Montana comes to town. The game against Montana starts the final two weeks of regular season play that will feature five games.
Tickets to all Northern Colorado women's can be purchased by clicking here, visiting the UNC Ticket Office located at the Campus Commons Monday-Friday from 10 am-7 pm or by calling 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.
It was a collective team effort in the win as UNC had four players finish in double figures scoring led by Savannah Smith's 35 point game. She also added in six assists, six steals and three rebounds. The six steals match a career-high for the senior guard.
Joining Smith in double-digits scoring were Ali Meyer, Krystal Leger-Walker and Alexis Chapman all scoring 10 points. Meyer recorded her third double-double of the season by also grabbing 11 rebounds, eight of them came in the second half.
Both teams known for their offense got out to a slow start on Saturday ending the first quarter in a 12 all tie.
Northern Colorado took the lead into the half using an 8-0 run midway through the second quarter to go up by nine and end it up 35-29. Smith scored 12 of her first half 15 points in that second quarter, shooting 5-of-6 from the field as Northern Colorado shot 55.6 percent from the field during it.
The Vandals showed they wouldn't back down coming out of the half on an 8-0 run to take a two-point lead over UNC. Overall, there were four ties and five lead changes in the third, but UI entered the fourth up 50-47.
It was a battle between the top two players in the Big Sky Conference during the fourth quarter as Savannah Smith and Idaho's Mikayla Ferenz traded shot for shot. Smith outdueled Ferenz scoring 13 points to her 12 and had a trio of assists.
The Bears went on an 8-0 run to claim the lead from Idaho early on and never looked back. Smith had an impact on all eight of UNC's points during the run starting it with a three-point play the old fashion way and assisting on a Leger-Walker 3-pointer and Meyer layup.
Northern Colorado extended the lead to as much as 10 with 3:41 remaining and put it away at the free throw line.
What they said
Stat to know
Ball movement and team basketball were key for Northern Colorado's win on Saturday as the Bears assisted on 17 of its 27 made baskets. Savannah Smith led the way with six assists, while Krystal Leger-Walker added in another five.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart earned her second career start and played a career-best 40 minutes for the Bears. Her box score numbers of six points, seven rebounds and a steal are modest compared to the impact she had on the game.
- Abby Kain was a big spark off the bench in the first half for UNC scoring six points and recording an assist as Ali Meyer battled foul trouble.
- Northern Colorado forced 19 Idaho turnovers including 11 of them via steal.
Around the Big Sky
The big game of the day in the conference was Montana hosting Idaho State. The Lady Griz held off a late ISU run to win 60-59. Portland State sits in first place of the Big Sky at 11-3 with Idaho at 10-3 and UNC and ISU at 11-4 all tied for second place.
What's ahead
The Bears are now off for over a week, not returning to the court until February 25 when Montana comes to town. The game against Montana starts the final two weeks of regular season play that will feature five games.
Tickets to all Northern Colorado women's can be purchased by clicking here, visiting the UNC Ticket Office located at the Campus Commons Monday-Friday from 10 am-7 pm or by calling 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
UI
NC
FG%
.403
.435
3FG%
.321
.400
FT%
.765
.833
RB
42
34
TO
19
14
STL
7
11
Game Leaders
Pts
35
FGM
11
3FGM
4
FTM
9
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
/ Women's BasketballUNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 10)
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UNC Weekly Press Conference - Kristen Mattio (Feb. 3)
Tuesday, February 03
