Smith breaks all-time scoring record in @UNCBearsWBB win

Saturday, March 2

Ogden, Utah

12pm

University of Northern Colorado

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Weber State

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Northern Colorado

Weber State

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

3/2/2019 3:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Savannah Smith took over the UNC women's basketball all-time scoring record in the team's win over Weber State

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

OGDEN, Utah – Savannah Smith made history and Northern Colorado women's basketball picked up a 75-61 win over Weber State on Saturday afternoon. Smith passed former Bear and teammate D'shara Strange on the all-time scoring list in the win. She now has 1,898 points for her career taking over Strange's top spot that was set at 1,891 points.

Smith led the Bears with 36 points in the game, her fourth straight 30-plus point game and fifth time in six games. She also led the team in assists with six.

The record breaking point for @savasmith10! #Bearsketball🐻🏀 #GoUNCBears #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/HhPHfWI8pU
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNCBearsWBB) March 2, 2019

Smith was not the only Bear to achieve a milestone in the game, as Ali Meyer surpassed the 300 rebounds mark for the season. She becomes just the second Bear to do so joining no other than D'shara Strange. Meyer finished the game with 11 rebounds to sit at 308 for the season, just six back of Strange's season record.

Here is a look at @meyerali24 300th rebound of the year. #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/JCvIA8Ae6I
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNCBearsWBB) March 2, 2019

It was a sluggish first half for Northern Colorado against Weber State as they missed their first seven shot attempts of the game. The team closed the first quarter strong making seven of their final 12 shots to lead 16-13.

(3/2/2019) WBB at Weber State

The Bears increased the lead to as much as six early in the second quarter, but WSU responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead. WSU ended the half up 32-28. Northern Colorado shot just 34.4 percent in the half while WSU shot 40.7 percent. Weber State took advantage of five UNC turnovers leading to seven points, while UNC had no points off eight WSU turnovers in the first half.

Alexis Chapman comes out strong in second half scoring team's first 12 points to spark the Bears. Behind Chapman's 12 and Smith's eight in the quarter, UNC outscored Weber State 26-19 in the quarter to take a slim 54-51 lead into the fourth.

Chapman finished the game with 16 points, four rebounds, an assist and steal.

Early 3-pointers from Smith and Micayla Isenbart extended Northern Colorado's lead to nine and the Wildcats never cut the Bears lead to less than seven the rest of the way. UNC put the game away at the free throw line where their final seven points came from.

Northern Colorado held Weber State to 4-of-19 shooting from the field in the fourth quarter, including just 1-of-7 from 3-point range.

What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
What makes Savannah Smith such a dynamic scorer?
"She's such a dynamic scorer it's just helping her find the right rhythms within the game for her. In transition, sets and when she gets doubled she finds her teammates really well too. She's been nothing short of remarkable in this senior campaign. I'm so proud of her toughness, grit and desire for our team to compete at its highest level. She genuinely is excited for our team and her teammates, my hope is that while she is working hard she's having fun too!"

On the big minutes from Shalise Fernander and Abby Kain
"Shalise (Fernander) has been awesome on this road swing and finding her groove on both sides of the ball and has been a big lift. Abby (Kain) has done the same for us too, she's played tough and aggressive and she's at her best when she plays that way!
About the team's approach to the final week of the season
"We need to stay focused, everything matters at this point. Our energy our focus, our sleep, hydration, FT's, spacing, defense nothing is too small- it all matters!"

Guard Savannah Smith
About becoming the program's all-time leading scorer
"Breaking the scoring record could not have happened with out the help of all my amazing teammates and coaches! They are always pushing me to be better and are a huge reason why I was able to achieve this record. I have always been a huge fan and friend of D'shara, and that makes this honor even more special! D'shara has so many records here at UNC she will forever be one of the greatest players to play here!"

Forward Ali Meyer
On reaching the 300 rebound mark
"I'm so thankful to be on the court this season and to be able to create extra possessions for my team any way that I can!"

Stat to know
Savannah Smith currently sits at 1,898 career points can be broken down as follows:
Freshman: 258
Sophomore: 476
Junior: 571
Senior: 593 and counting.

Congrats to @savasmith10 now the program's all-time leading scorer! #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/N5kkAAC5qr
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNCBearsWBB) March 2, 2019

Game notes
- Abby Kain grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds on Saturday. She grabbed an even split five offensive and five defensive rebounds. She also scored two points, two blocks, a steal and an assist.
- Shalise Fernander had big minutes off the bench for UNC scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds. Between Fernander, Meyer and Kain, Northern Colorado out-rebound Weber State 45 to 33. The Bears had 14 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second chance points.
- Freshman Micayla Isenbart was the third Bear in double-figures scoring ending the game with 11 points. She went a career-best 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

What's ahead
The Bears 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.