University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Tuesday, March 12
Boise, Idaho
5:30 pm
University of Northern Colorado
vs
Southern Utah
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
@UNCBearsWBB starts Big Sky Tournament against Southern Utah
3/11/2019 8:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball faces Southern Utah in their opening game of the Big Sky Tournament.
BOISE, Idaho – Northern Colorado's quest for another Big Sky title begins on Tuesday inside the Century Link Arena when they take on Southern Utah. The second seeded Bears had a bye in the first round, while 10-seed SUU defeated 7-seed Montana on Monday. The game is set for a 5:30 pm tip.
Opening Tip
• Northern Colorado enters the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing the regular season at 15-5.
• Three Bears earned All-Big Sky honors as announced on Monday by the conference in Savannah Smith (1st), Ali Meyer (3rd) and Krystal Leger-Walker (HM).
• Savannah Smith tied her single game record for points with 40 in the regular season finale at Northern Arizona. She broke the record for 3-pointers in the game with nine.
• Last year UNC won its first ever Big Sky Tournament defeating Montana, Idaho and Idaho State on the way to the title.
• Southern Utah advanced to play the Bears by defeating Montana on Monday night. 64-56.
• UNC won both meetings between the teams in the regular season, including less than a week ago at home 88-71.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado was unable to overcome a big second quarter from Northern Arizona, dropping the regular season finale 79-68. The Bears were led in scoring by Savannah Smith's 40 points, while NAU's Kaleigh Paplow recorded a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah advanced to play the Bears by controlling the glass against Montana on Monday. The T-Birds outrebounded the Lady Griz 51-37 in the 64-56 win. Of their 51 rebounds, 24 came on the offensive end leading to 16 second chance points.
SUU is led by the trio of Harley Hansen, Rebecca Cardenas and Breanu Ried. Hansen leads the team with 11.6 points per game followed by Cardenas and her 11.3 and Ried's 10.2
Opponents are shooting well against the Thunderbirds this year at a clip of 45.5 percent.
History against Southern Utah
When Southern Utah joined the Big Sky in the 2012-13 season, they won four of the first five meetings between the two teams, but now Northern Colorado has won the last eight meetings. UNC leads the all-time series at 10-4 including a win in the first game between the two teams in 1980. The two teams have met in the Big Sky Tournament once, back in 2013 in Missoula. UNC won the game 67-56.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 130-97. Overall, the team is 143-103 against Big Sky schools.
Big Sky Tournament History
Northern Colorado has seen some success in the Big Sky Tournament, advancing to the finals four times, finally breaking through the wall last season in defeating Idaho for their first ever Big Sky Tournament title.
On This Date
Tuesday will be the first ever time UNC has played on March 12. It is the 10th latest date in a season the team has played. The latest is March 21.
All-Big Sky honors
The 2018-19 All-Big Sky honors were announced on Monday morning, with three Bears earing spots. Savannah Smith was a unanimous first team selection, making it for her third time being on the first team. Ali Meyer earned her first ever All-Big Sky honor by placing on the third team, while Krystal Leger-Walker was an honorable mention.
What's ahead
With a win UNC's season continues in the Big Sky Semifinals against either Idaho State, Eastern Washington or Weber State.
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 enters the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing the regular season at 15-5.
• Three Bears earned All-Big Sky honors as announced on Monday by the conference in Savannah Smith (1st), Ali Meyer (3rd) and Krystal Leger-Walker (HM).
• Savannah Smith tied her single game record for points with 40 in the regular season finale at Northern Arizona. She broke the record for 3-pointers in the game with nine.
• Last year UNC won its first ever Big Sky Tournament defeating Montana, Idaho and Idaho State on the way to the title.
• Southern Utah advanced to play the Bears by defeating Montana on Monday night. 64-56.
• UNC won both meetings between the teams in the regular season, including less than a week ago at home 88-71.
Last Time Out
Northern Colorado was unable to overcome a big second quarter from Northern Arizona, dropping the regular season finale 79-68. The Bears were led in scoring by Savannah Smith's 40 points, while NAU's Kaleigh Paplow recorded a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Scouting the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah advanced to play the Bears by controlling the glass against Montana on Monday. The T-Birds outrebounded the Lady Griz 51-37 in the 64-56 win. Of their 51 rebounds, 24 came on the offensive end leading to 16 second chance points.
SUU is led by the trio of Harley Hansen, Rebecca Cardenas and Breanu Ried. Hansen leads the team with 11.6 points per game followed by Cardenas and her 11.3 and Ried's 10.2
Opponents are shooting well against the Thunderbirds this year at a clip of 45.5 percent.
History against Southern Utah
When Southern Utah joined the Big Sky in the 2012-13 season, they won four of the first five meetings between the two teams, but now Northern Colorado has won the last eight meetings. UNC leads the all-time series at 10-4 including a win in the first game between the two teams in 1980. The two teams have met in the Big Sky Tournament once, back in 2013 in Missoula. UNC won the game 67-56.
Against the Big Sky
UNC joined the Big Sky in the 2006-07 season and has gone 130-97. Overall, the team is 143-103 against Big Sky schools.
Big Sky Tournament History
Northern Colorado has seen some success in the Big Sky Tournament, advancing to the finals four times, finally breaking through the wall last season in defeating Idaho for their first ever Big Sky Tournament title.
On This Date
Tuesday will be the first ever time UNC has played on March 12. It is the 10th latest date in a season the team has played. The latest is March 21.
All-Big Sky honors
The 2018-19 All-Big Sky honors were announced on Monday morning, with three Bears earing spots. Savannah Smith was a unanimous first team selection, making it for her third time being on the first team. Ali Meyer earned her first ever All-Big Sky honor by placing on the third team, while Krystal Leger-Walker was an honorable mention.
What's ahead
With a win UNC's season continues in the Big Sky Semifinals against either Idaho State, Eastern Washington or Weber State.
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
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