University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, February 9
Portland, Ore.
3 pm MT
University of Northern Colorado
at
Portland State
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Big road test ahead for @UNCBearsWBB at Portland State
2/8/2019 4:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball looks to strengthen its lead in the Big Sky standings with a game at Portland State Saturday
As the calendar slips deeper into February conference races are beginning to take shape, including a big road test for Northern Colorado women's basketball on Saturday afternoon. The Bears, who sit tied atop the Big Sky standings at 9-2 with Idaho, travel to 8-3 Portland State for a 3 pm tip-off. UNC looks to gain a possible key tie breaker over the Vikings for seeding in the conference tournament come March with a win to sweep the season series.
Opening Tip
• Savannah Smith matched the program record for points scored with 37 as UNC defeated Montana State 84-73.
• Smith's performance against MSU earned her a second consecutive Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week award.
• Four Bears finished the game in double figures, joining Smith were Alexis Chapman (15), Micayla Isenbart (12) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10).
• The Bears are on their second three-game road trip of the Big Sky season. UNC went 3-0 on the other one this year.
• Saturday's game starts another run of four games in eight days for Northern Colorado, ending next Saturday, February 16 vs Idaho.
• Portland State has the most wins overall this season in the Big Sky with 16.
• The Vikings are coming off a 74-58 win over Sacramento State on Thursday night.
• Northern Colorado won the first game of the year between the two teams in Greeley, 79-63.
Last Time Out
Savannah Smith tied the program's single-game scoring record with 37 points, as UNC defeated Montana State on the road 84-73. Four Bears finished in double figures scoring, as the team shot 49.3 percent per game.
Scouting the Vikings
Portland State sits a game behind UNC and Idaho for the first place in the Big Sky entering Thursday night's contest. PSU has a veteran team led by Ashley Bolston, Courtney West and Sidney Rielly.
The Vikings have three players scoring in double figures, led by Rielly's 15.1 points per game. Bolston and guard Kylie Jimenez are the other two scoring in double digits with 13.0 and 12.7 points, respectively.
PSU employs a 2-3 zone defense that is holding opponents to 58.2 points, 33.8 percent shooting including 28.4 percent from 3-point land. Courtney West patrols the middle of the zone, leading the conference with 2.9 blocks a game.
History against Portland State
Northern Colorado is 16-9 overall against Portland State, currently riding a seven-game win streak against the Vikings. UNC has taken care of business at home against PSU going 11-2, while Portland State holds the advantage in Portland at 6-5.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 125-94. Overall, the team is 138-100 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
There was some shifting at the top of the Big Sky on Thursday night as Idaho State fell from a tie from first place with a loss to Northern Arizona. Idaho now sits in a tie with the Bears at 9-2 after their win over Montana.
On This Date
The Bears are 8-6 when playing on February 9. UNC has played well at home on the date with a 6-1 record, while being 2-5 away from Greeley. The Bears are currently on a two-game win streak on the date with a win at Idaho 71-57.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado closes out it's three-game road trip on Monday in Sacrament to face Sacramento State. The Bears and Hornets tip-off at 6 pm.
The team's next home game is set for Valentine's Day when Eastern Washington comes to the Bank of Colorado Arena.
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.
Opening Tip
• Savannah Smith matched the program record for points scored with 37 as UNC defeated Montana State 84-73.
• Smith's performance against MSU earned her a second consecutive Ready Nutrition Big Sky Player of the Week award.
• Four Bears finished the game in double figures, joining Smith were Alexis Chapman (15), Micayla Isenbart (12) and Krystal Leger-Walker (10).
• The Bears are on their second three-game road trip of the Big Sky season. UNC went 3-0 on the other one this year.
• Saturday's game starts another run of four games in eight days for Northern Colorado, ending next Saturday, February 16 vs Idaho.
• Portland State has the most wins overall this season in the Big Sky with 16.
• The Vikings are coming off a 74-58 win over Sacramento State on Thursday night.
• Northern Colorado won the first game of the year between the two teams in Greeley, 79-63.
Last Time Out
Savannah Smith tied the program's single-game scoring record with 37 points, as UNC defeated Montana State on the road 84-73. Four Bears finished in double figures scoring, as the team shot 49.3 percent per game.
Scouting the Vikings
Portland State sits a game behind UNC and Idaho for the first place in the Big Sky entering Thursday night's contest. PSU has a veteran team led by Ashley Bolston, Courtney West and Sidney Rielly.
The Vikings have three players scoring in double figures, led by Rielly's 15.1 points per game. Bolston and guard Kylie Jimenez are the other two scoring in double digits with 13.0 and 12.7 points, respectively.
PSU employs a 2-3 zone defense that is holding opponents to 58.2 points, 33.8 percent shooting including 28.4 percent from 3-point land. Courtney West patrols the middle of the zone, leading the conference with 2.9 blocks a game.
History against Portland State
Northern Colorado is 16-9 overall against Portland State, currently riding a seven-game win streak against the Vikings. UNC has taken care of business at home against PSU going 11-2, while Portland State holds the advantage in Portland at 6-5.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 125-94. Overall, the team is 138-100 against Big Sky schools.
Around the Big Sky
There was some shifting at the top of the Big Sky on Thursday night as Idaho State fell from a tie from first place with a loss to Northern Arizona. Idaho now sits in a tie with the Bears at 9-2 after their win over Montana.
On This Date
The Bears are 8-6 when playing on February 9. UNC has played well at home on the date with a 6-1 record, while being 2-5 away from Greeley. The Bears are currently on a two-game win streak on the date with a win at Idaho 71-57.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado closes out it's three-game road trip on Monday in Sacrament to face Sacramento State. The Bears and Hornets tip-off at 6 pm.
The team's next home game is set for Valentine's Day when Eastern Washington comes to the Bank of Colorado Arena.
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.
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