University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, February 28
Pocatello, Idaho
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
at
Idaho State
Photo by: Robert Dunlap
Bears, Bengals square off in pivotal Big Sky game Thursday
2/27/2019 1:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball starts its final two weeks of the regular season at Idaho State Thursday
The Big Sky regular season race is going to come down to the wire for the top for teams, including Northern Colorado women's basketball. The Bears head to Pocatello, Idaho on Thursday for a pivotal matchup with Idaho State. Tip-off between UNC and ISU is set for 7 pm.
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado clinched a bye in the Big Sky Tournament with a 79-61 win over Montana on Monday.
• Savannah Smith set the program's record for points in a game with 40. She shot 12-of-22 from the field including making seven 3s.
• Smith earned her fifth Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week Honor for her performance against Montana that also included seven rebounds and six assists.
• Ali Meyer recorded her sixth straight game with 10-plus rebounds, grabbing 10 on Saturday.
• UNC shot the ball well on Monday going 50.0 percent from the field, including 10-of-14 in the first quarter.
• Idaho State has been off since Saturday when they defeated rival Weber State 84-57.
• The Bengals are half a game ahead of UNC in the Big Sky standings with two weeks to go.
Last Time Out
Savannah Smith continues to one up herself and she did just that on Monday night. Smith set the program record for single-game scoring with 40 points. Her performance and strong shooting from the entire team helped lead the Bears to a 79-61 win over the Lady Griz.
Scouting the Bengals
Defense and balanced scoring have led Idaho State to the top part of the Big Sky this season. The Bengals who have a reputation for playing tough defense are holding opponents to 58.5 points a game and 35.7 percent shooting. In Big Sky play those numbers are even lower at 55.5 points and 33.4 percent shooting.
While it can be tough to score against ISU, they also have a balanced attack on offense. The trio of Grace Kenyon, Saylair Grandon and Estefania Ors are all averaging double figures scoring. Kenyon leads the group with 14.0 points, and also leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per game. The slower pace played by Idaho State only has them scoring 66.0 points a game, but they are shooting 44.9 percent.
History against Idaho State
Idaho State took the first 10 games of the series between the Bears and Bengals, but since than it has evened out. ISU leads the all-time series 11-19, but UNC is 11-9 in the previous 20 games including a current four game win streak. When playing in Pocatello, Idaho State leads the series 8-5.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 128-96. Overall, the team is 141-102 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
Thursday night will have some significant implications on the Big Sky standings and the race for the Big Sky title. The top four teams square off as Idaho State hosts UNC and Portland State hosts Idaho.
On This Date
UNC is looking for its first road win when playing on the last day of February. The Bears are 0-7 when playing on the road on the date and 4-9 overall on it. While the team is winless when on the road, recent history is in the team's favor as they have won their last three games on the date, all coming at home.
What's Ahead?
UNC stays on the road for a Saturday high-noon showdown between the Bears and Wildcats of Weber State. Northern Colorado looks to avenge a loss earlier this season to WSU.
The Bears then close out the regular season with a home-road split next week. It starts with Senior Night on March 7 against Southern Utah. The regular season finale will take place on March 9 in Flagstaff, Arizona against Northern Arizona.
Tickets for the final home game 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.
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado clinched a bye in the Big Sky Tournament with a 79-61 win over Montana on Monday.
• Savannah Smith set the program's record for points in a game with 40. She shot 12-of-22 from the field including making seven 3s.
• Smith earned her fifth Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week Honor for her performance against Montana that also included seven rebounds and six assists.
• Ali Meyer recorded her sixth straight game with 10-plus rebounds, grabbing 10 on Saturday.
• UNC shot the ball well on Monday going 50.0 percent from the field, including 10-of-14 in the first quarter.
• Idaho State has been off since Saturday when they defeated rival Weber State 84-57.
• The Bengals are half a game ahead of UNC in the Big Sky standings with two weeks to go.
Last Time Out
Savannah Smith continues to one up herself and she did just that on Monday night. Smith set the program record for single-game scoring with 40 points. Her performance and strong shooting from the entire team helped lead the Bears to a 79-61 win over the Lady Griz.
Scouting the Bengals
Defense and balanced scoring have led Idaho State to the top part of the Big Sky this season. The Bengals who have a reputation for playing tough defense are holding opponents to 58.5 points a game and 35.7 percent shooting. In Big Sky play those numbers are even lower at 55.5 points and 33.4 percent shooting.
While it can be tough to score against ISU, they also have a balanced attack on offense. The trio of Grace Kenyon, Saylair Grandon and Estefania Ors are all averaging double figures scoring. Kenyon leads the group with 14.0 points, and also leads the team with 7.2 rebounds per game. The slower pace played by Idaho State only has them scoring 66.0 points a game, but they are shooting 44.9 percent.
History against Idaho State
Idaho State took the first 10 games of the series between the Bears and Bengals, but since than it has evened out. ISU leads the all-time series 11-19, but UNC is 11-9 in the previous 20 games including a current four game win streak. When playing in Pocatello, Idaho State leads the series 8-5.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 128-96. Overall, the team is 141-102 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
Thursday night will have some significant implications on the Big Sky standings and the race for the Big Sky title. The top four teams square off as Idaho State hosts UNC and Portland State hosts Idaho.
On This Date
UNC is looking for its first road win when playing on the last day of February. The Bears are 0-7 when playing on the road on the date and 4-9 overall on it. While the team is winless when on the road, recent history is in the team's favor as they have won their last three games on the date, all coming at home.
What's Ahead?
UNC stays on the road for a Saturday high-noon showdown between the Bears and Wildcats of Weber State. Northern Colorado looks to avenge a loss earlier this season to WSU.
The Bears then close out the regular season with a home-road split next week. It starts with Senior Night on March 7 against Southern Utah. The regular season finale will take place on March 9 in Flagstaff, Arizona against Northern Arizona.
Tickets for the final home game 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.
Players Mentioned
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
