University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, February 4
Bozeman, Mont.
6 pm
University of Northern Colorado
14-6, 9-2BSC
84
at
73
Montana State
11-10, 6-5BSC
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Northern Colorado
27
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84
Montana State
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Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Smith ties program record, @UNCBearsWBB Rolls
2/4/2019 8:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Savannah Smith tied a single-game program record with 37 points as UNC defeated Montana State 84-73
BOZEMAN, Mont. – There looked to be no rust for the well-rested Northern Colorado women's basketball team on Monday night. The Bears returned to game action after a nine-day break, defeating Montana State 84-73. The win moves UNC into a first place tie with Idaho State at 9-2 in the Big Sky.
Savannah Smith tied the program record for points in a game with 37 on Monday night on 14-of-23 shooting including 6-of-13 from behind the arc. She tied the record also held by Jenny Gallagher vs Minnesota-Duluth (3/7/95) and Danielle Hagen vs Portland State (3/13/08) To go along with the scoring output, Smith had five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Smith was one of four Bears to finish the night in double figures scoring as the team shot 49.3 percent from the field. Alexis Chapman (15), Micayla Isenbart (12) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10) were the other three UNC players in double figures.
It was a back and forth game through the first six minutes before Northern Colorado closed the first quarter on a 14-3 run. The Bobcats were held scoreless over the final 3:57 of that to give UNC a 27-15 lead. Smith scored 10 of her 37 in the first, while Chapman had nine herself. The Bears shot 57.9 percent in the quarter.
MSU pushed back into the game with a 9-0 run with seven of the nine points coming from the free throw line in the second quarter, UNC closed the half strong. The Bears finished the half by scoring the final four points be up 11. Smith entered the break with 18 points on 50.0 percent shooting.
Montana State came out of the break to cut the lead to six but the Bears responded with a 9-2 run to extend it back to double figures. The lead only got down to single digits one more time and extended to as much as 19 late in the fourth quarter.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
On the strong opening after the long break.
"I thought we had a strong first quarter and our goal was to move the ball and share the ball which we were able to achieve."
About Savannah Smith's game
"Savannah was spectacular tonight, and our team played with her well. She just led like you want and expect a senior point guard to lead!"
On the balanced scoring
"The balanced scoring was about us working the shot clock, moving, cutting and having fun!"
Senior Guard Savannah Smith
About tying the program record for single-game scoring
"It is so exciting to be a record holder! There are a lot of amazing players that have played here and it's just special to be mentioned with them. Thank you to my awesome teammates, coaches, and the amazing UNC fans- I couldn't have done without them!"
Stat to know
67, that's how many points Savannah Smith has scored in Northern Colorado's last two games. Smith followed up her 30 point performance against NAU with 37 tonight. That breaks a school's Division I era record for points in consecutive games, previously set by Stephanie Lee with 63 in two games against North Dakota and North Dakota State in 2013-14.
Game notes
- Krystal Leger-Walker once again stuffed the stat sheet for UNC with 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.
- Ali Meyer continues to be a rebound machine grabbing 10 rebounds on the night. She also scored six points.
- The Bears recorded 11 steals on Monday night, the second most of the season for the team. The only game in which they had more also came in the Treasure State at Montana when they had 14.
What's Ahead
UNC will return to the road this weekend as they head to Portland State on Saturday. The Bears and Vikings will tip-off Saturday afternoon at 3 pm MST. Northern Colorado returns home on February 14 when Eastern Washington visits Greeley at 7 pm.
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.
Savannah Smith tied the program record for points in a game with 37 on Monday night on 14-of-23 shooting including 6-of-13 from behind the arc. She tied the record also held by Jenny Gallagher vs Minnesota-Duluth (3/7/95) and Danielle Hagen vs Portland State (3/13/08) To go along with the scoring output, Smith had five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Smith was one of four Bears to finish the night in double figures scoring as the team shot 49.3 percent from the field. Alexis Chapman (15), Micayla Isenbart (12) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10) were the other three UNC players in double figures.
It was a back and forth game through the first six minutes before Northern Colorado closed the first quarter on a 14-3 run. The Bobcats were held scoreless over the final 3:57 of that to give UNC a 27-15 lead. Smith scored 10 of her 37 in the first, while Chapman had nine herself. The Bears shot 57.9 percent in the quarter.
MSU pushed back into the game with a 9-0 run with seven of the nine points coming from the free throw line in the second quarter, UNC closed the half strong. The Bears finished the half by scoring the final four points be up 11. Smith entered the break with 18 points on 50.0 percent shooting.
Montana State came out of the break to cut the lead to six but the Bears responded with a 9-2 run to extend it back to double figures. The lead only got down to single digits one more time and extended to as much as 19 late in the fourth quarter.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
On the strong opening after the long break.
"I thought we had a strong first quarter and our goal was to move the ball and share the ball which we were able to achieve."
About Savannah Smith's game
"Savannah was spectacular tonight, and our team played with her well. She just led like you want and expect a senior point guard to lead!"
On the balanced scoring
"The balanced scoring was about us working the shot clock, moving, cutting and having fun!"
Senior Guard Savannah Smith
About tying the program record for single-game scoring
"It is so exciting to be a record holder! There are a lot of amazing players that have played here and it's just special to be mentioned with them. Thank you to my awesome teammates, coaches, and the amazing UNC fans- I couldn't have done without them!"
Stat to know
67, that's how many points Savannah Smith has scored in Northern Colorado's last two games. Smith followed up her 30 point performance against NAU with 37 tonight. That breaks a school's Division I era record for points in consecutive games, previously set by Stephanie Lee with 63 in two games against North Dakota and North Dakota State in 2013-14.
Game notes
- Krystal Leger-Walker once again stuffed the stat sheet for UNC with 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.
- Ali Meyer continues to be a rebound machine grabbing 10 rebounds on the night. She also scored six points.
- The Bears recorded 11 steals on Monday night, the second most of the season for the team. The only game in which they had more also came in the Treasure State at Montana when they had 14.
What's Ahead
UNC will return to the road this weekend as they head to Portland State on Saturday. The Bears and Vikings will tip-off Saturday afternoon at 3 pm MST. Northern Colorado returns home on February 14 when Eastern Washington visits Greeley at 7 pm.
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
NC
MSU
FG%
.493
.404
3FG%
.407
.333
FT%
.500
.727
RB
39
34
TO
13
17
STL
11
7
Game Leaders
Pts
37
FGM
14
3FGM
6
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
C/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
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