University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Thursday, February 28
Pocatello, Idaho
7 pm
University of Northern Colorado
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59
Idaho State
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Northern Colorado
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Idaho State
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Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Grit, determination lead @UNCBearsWBB in comeback over Idaho State
2/28/2019 9:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball came back from down 13 to defeat Idaho State 61-59
POTACELLO, Idaho – It took grit, determination and everyone's effort for Northern Colorado women's basketball to earn the 13-point comeback win over Idaho State Thursday night 61-59. The Bears outscored ISU 14-6 in the fourth quarter, including holding them scoreless for a period of 8 minutes and 10 seconds.
(2/28/2019) WBB at Idaho State
Smith, who scored 17 points in the first half, started the charge for the team in the third quarter. She scored 14 of the team's 18 points in the quarter as they cut the lead down to one possession multiple times. Smith shot 44.4 percent from the field during the quarter including connecting on three 3-pointers and a trio of free throws.
Down by six entering the fourth quarter, the Bears dug deep and used their defense and grit to complete the comeback. A 6-0 run early in the quarter tied the game up at 55 on a Brooklyn Evans' aggressive drive and finish.
Both teams had multiple opportunities to claim the lead again, but Northern Colorado finally did on freshman Micayla Isenbart's great post move and layup with 3:04 remaining. The basket was her only points of the night.
Junior Abby Kain put the nail in the coffin with a layup inside the final minute as great ball movement left her wide open.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
"It was a grind no doubt, not pretty but we'll take it. I love our team's togetherness and perseverance. At halftime, we talked about we have to be the tougher team in the second half and keep them off the boards. Savannah really carried us, she has such a no quit attitude! She's been sensational. I'm also really proud of our players helping off the bench and down the stretch. Players have to make plays and we did that tonight, Savannah, Abby, Micayla and Alexis' free throws to finish the fourth quarter were all those types of plays. Ali's rebounding was a huge factor in the second half for us. I am so proud of our team!!"
Stat to know
A big key to UNC's comeback was their second half rebounding. After being outrebound by 10 in the first half, the Bears grabbed 21 boards to ISU's 14. Of the 21 rebounds, eight came on the offensive end.
Game notes
- Savannah Smith finished Thursday night's game with 33 points. She now is only four points out of second place in program history for points score with 1,862 on her career. Smith also had five assists, five rebounds and two steals in the game. The two steals give her 200 for her career.
- Ali Meyer extended her streak of double-figure rebound games to seven games with 14 rebounds to lead all players. She now has 297 on the year.
- The free throw line has not always been kind to UNC this season, but tonight it was. The Bears shot 12-of-14 from the charity stripe.
- The 13-point comeback is the third time this season the Bears have come back from down that much. The other two games were at Colorado State (11/20) and at Idaho (1/5).
Around the Big Sky
There were two huge games in the Big Sky on Thursday night, the UNC-ISU game and Idaho at Portland State. The road team won both games. The Vandals stay in first place in the Big Sky with the 81-68 win over the Vikings by one game over Northern Colorado.
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.
Smith, who scored 17 points in the first half, started the charge for the team in the third quarter. She scored 14 of the team's 18 points in the quarter as they cut the lead down to one possession multiple times. Smith shot 44.4 percent from the field during the quarter including connecting on three 3-pointers and a trio of free throws.
Down by six entering the fourth quarter, the Bears dug deep and used their defense and grit to complete the comeback. A 6-0 run early in the quarter tied the game up at 55 on a Brooklyn Evans' aggressive drive and finish.
Both teams had multiple opportunities to claim the lead again, but Northern Colorado finally did on freshman Micayla Isenbart's great post move and layup with 3:04 remaining. The basket was her only points of the night.
Junior Abby Kain put the nail in the coffin with a layup inside the final minute as great ball movement left her wide open.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
"It was a grind no doubt, not pretty but we'll take it. I love our team's togetherness and perseverance. At halftime, we talked about we have to be the tougher team in the second half and keep them off the boards. Savannah really carried us, she has such a no quit attitude! She's been sensational. I'm also really proud of our players helping off the bench and down the stretch. Players have to make plays and we did that tonight, Savannah, Abby, Micayla and Alexis' free throws to finish the fourth quarter were all those types of plays. Ali's rebounding was a huge factor in the second half for us. I am so proud of our team!!"
Stat to know
A big key to UNC's comeback was their second half rebounding. After being outrebound by 10 in the first half, the Bears grabbed 21 boards to ISU's 14. Of the 21 rebounds, eight came on the offensive end.
Game notes
- Savannah Smith finished Thursday night's game with 33 points. She now is only four points out of second place in program history for points score with 1,862 on her career. Smith also had five assists, five rebounds and two steals in the game. The two steals give her 200 for her career.
- Ali Meyer extended her streak of double-figure rebound games to seven games with 14 rebounds to lead all players. She now has 297 on the year.
- The free throw line has not always been kind to UNC this season, but tonight it was. The Bears shot 12-of-14 from the charity stripe.
- The 13-point comeback is the third time this season the Bears have come back from down that much. The other two games were at Colorado State (11/20) and at Idaho (1/5).
Around the Big Sky
There were two huge games in the Big Sky on Thursday night, the UNC-ISU game and Idaho at Portland State. The road team won both games. The Vandals stay in first place in the Big Sky with the 81-68 win over the Vikings by one game over Northern Colorado.
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.
Team Stats
NC
ISU
FG%
.362
.391
3FG%
.304
.375
FT%
.857
.750
RB
35
38
TO
12
14
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Pts
33
FGM
10
3FGM
6
FTM
7
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ 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
