University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, February 4
Bozeman, Mont.
6 pm
University of Northern Colorado
at
Montana State
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
@UNCBearsWBB ready to return to the court after long break
2/3/2019 11:55:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nine days off is an eternity in college basketball, as UNC women's basketball returns to action Monday
Northern Colorado women's basketball is chomping at the bit to get back into game action after being off for nine days, last playing on January 26 against Northern Arizona. Not only are the Bears ready to play a game again, but looking to avenge one of their two Big Sky losses at Montana State at 6 pm.
Opening Tip
• UNC hit the halfway point of the Big Sky season at 8-2 with a win over Northern Arizona at home on January 19.
• Savannah Smith recorded her third 30-point game of the season in the win, scoring 22 of her 30 points in the third quarter.
• Smith's performance against NAU and Southern Utah earned her the Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week award. She averaged 24.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in the two games.
• Ali Meyer just missed out on her second straight double-double scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds.
• Montana State is coming off a big 74-52 win over rival Montana on Saturday.
• The Bobcats are just one of two teams to hand UNC a loss in Big Sky play, doing so back in January.
• MSU has going up and down throughout the Big Sky season including being 5-4 in the last nine games.
Last Time Out
The Savannah Smith show went off in the third quarter, as the redshirt senior guard scored 22 points on her way to 30 for the game to put UNC up for good against NAU. The Bears went on to win by 10 at 63-53, holding the Lumberjacks to 34.9 percent shooting.
Scouting the Bobcats
It's been a roller coaster of a Big Sky Season for Montana State as they enter Monday night's game at 6-4 in conference play. The Bobcats have split their last eight games and followed up their last five wins with a loss.
Claire Lundberg leads the team with 17.2 points a game while Oliana Squires is the only other MSU player in double figures with 11.1 points.
Opponents have been able to shoot well against MSU this year going 41.3 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent from behind the arc. Even with the strong shooting by their opponents, Montana State is holding teams to 66.1 points a game.
History against Montana State
Its an even 13-13 split between UNC and MSU as the Bobcats evened up the series earlier this year with a 79-66 win in Greeley. The Bears have won four of the past five games. Montana State holds a 7-4 edge when playing in Bozeman.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 124-94. Overall, the team is 137-100 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
With the long layoff for UNC, Idaho State has been able to make up ground on the Bears in the standings, now a half game ahead with a 9-2 record. The Bengals picked up a big 58-57 win a Portland State on Saturday. Idaho is now tied with Northern Colorado for second place and Portland State is in fourth at 7-3.
On This Date
UNC is 6-4 when playing on February 4, but only 1-2 when playing on the road. The Bears are looking to snap a two-game losing streak on the date. UNC's last win on the road the date came in 2006 at Texas A&M Corpus Cristi.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado is in the middle of a three-game road trip as they head to the west coast next weekend. The Bears will face Portland State on Saturday, February 9. UNC defeated PSU earlier this year in Greeley 79-63.
The team's next home game is set for Valentine's Day when Eastern Washington comes to the Bank of Colorado Arena. Tickets for that game and all UNC women's basketball came can be purchased 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.
Opening Tip
• UNC hit the halfway point of the Big Sky season at 8-2 with a win over Northern Arizona at home on January 19.
• Savannah Smith recorded her third 30-point game of the season in the win, scoring 22 of her 30 points in the third quarter.
• Smith's performance against NAU and Southern Utah earned her the Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week award. She averaged 24.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in the two games.
• Ali Meyer just missed out on her second straight double-double scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds.
• Montana State is coming off a big 74-52 win over rival Montana on Saturday.
• The Bobcats are just one of two teams to hand UNC a loss in Big Sky play, doing so back in January.
• MSU has going up and down throughout the Big Sky season including being 5-4 in the last nine games.
Last Time Out
The Savannah Smith show went off in the third quarter, as the redshirt senior guard scored 22 points on her way to 30 for the game to put UNC up for good against NAU. The Bears went on to win by 10 at 63-53, holding the Lumberjacks to 34.9 percent shooting.
Scouting the Bobcats
It's been a roller coaster of a Big Sky Season for Montana State as they enter Monday night's game at 6-4 in conference play. The Bobcats have split their last eight games and followed up their last five wins with a loss.
Claire Lundberg leads the team with 17.2 points a game while Oliana Squires is the only other MSU player in double figures with 11.1 points.
Opponents have been able to shoot well against MSU this year going 41.3 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent from behind the arc. Even with the strong shooting by their opponents, Montana State is holding teams to 66.1 points a game.
History against Montana State
Its an even 13-13 split between UNC and MSU as the Bobcats evened up the series earlier this year with a 79-66 win in Greeley. The Bears have won four of the past five games. Montana State holds a 7-4 edge when playing in Bozeman.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 124-94. Overall, the team is 137-100 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
With the long layoff for UNC, Idaho State has been able to make up ground on the Bears in the standings, now a half game ahead with a 9-2 record. The Bengals picked up a big 58-57 win a Portland State on Saturday. Idaho is now tied with Northern Colorado for second place and Portland State is in fourth at 7-3.
On This Date
UNC is 6-4 when playing on February 4, but only 1-2 when playing on the road. The Bears are looking to snap a two-game losing streak on the date. UNC's last win on the road the date came in 2006 at Texas A&M Corpus Cristi.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado is in the middle of a three-game road trip as they head to the west coast next weekend. The Bears will face Portland State on Saturday, February 9. UNC defeated PSU earlier this year in Greeley 79-63.
The team's next home game is set for Valentine's Day when Eastern Washington comes to the Bank of Colorado Arena. Tickets for that game and all UNC women's basketball came can be purchased 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.
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
