University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Saturday, March 9
Flagstaff, Ariz.
2 pm
University of Northern Colorado
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68
at
79
Northern Arizona
12-17, 8-12BSC
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Northern Colorado
16
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68
Northern Arizona
13
29
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Photo by: Woody Myers
@UNCBearsWBB unable to overcome Northern Arizona's big second quarter
3/9/2019 6:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNC women's basketball dropped its regular season finale to Northern Arizona
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A big second quarter from Northern Arizona helped lead them over Northern Colorado women's basketball on Saturday afternoon 79-68.
The Lumberjacks shot 61.9 percent in the quarter and out rebounded the Bears 15-3 while scoring 29 points.
Savannah Smith led the way for UNC matching her program record 40 points in a game and rest the record for made 3s in a game with nine. She added in four rebounds, two assists and a steal while playing the 40 minutes.
After a back and forth battle in the first quarter that saw UNC lead 16-13, the second quarter belonged to the Lumberjacks.
Northern Arizona used a 9-0 run to go up by six early on in the quarter and expanded it to as much as eight. A pair of Smith 3s cut the lead to four before the half, but NAU closed the half on a 7-0 run to lead 42-31 at the break.
The Bears come out of the half strong going on a 9-0 run cuts the lead to 5 before the mid-way point of the third. The Lumberjacks responded with a 7-0 run to build the lead back to 11 and not look back.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
Overall thoughts on the game
Northern Arizona came out really hot in the second quarter and it hurt us. We just really couldn't get any stops and then offensively we were taking quick shots, just couldn't really find rhythm even with good looks and I think that trickled over to the defensive end. We gave up those 29 points in the quarter and that was the difference. I felt like we played even with them the rest of the game, but really just couldn't turn that corner. We got it down to five points in the third and just couldn't get over the hump. That was really frustrating. You want to end your season on a high note, but it doesn't always end that way. It's just tough, overall it was a tough game in which we gave up too many easy looks. It's the second game in a row we have allowed over 70 points and we will need to make some adjustments and I have to do a better job with our team.
About Micayla Isenbart's Play
We need Micayla to be super aggressive like she did tonight in the tournament. We can't just rely on Savannah in the tournament we need everyone to pitch in and step up at throughout it if we want to reach our ultimate goal of winning it.
Message headed to Boise
I think we have responded well after losses throughout the season. This was a tough trip with a quick turnaround from home and then traveling here all day. The message to the team is let's learn from this and get better. We can learn from this but also move forward and not dwell on it.
Stat to know
A 48-38 advantage in rebounding helped Northern Arizona on Saturday afternoon. The Lumberjacks scored 42 points in the paint. Of their 48 rebounds, 16 of them were on the offensive end.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart was the only other Bear to score in double figures with 10 points. Half of her points came in the third quarter.
- Ali Meyer recorded 22nd double-figure rebound game of the year with 12 on Saturday.
- NAU's Kaleigh Paplow finished the game with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
- Smith's nine made 3s match a Walkup Skydome record.
What's ahead
Northern Colorado is the No. 2 seed in the Big Sky Conference Tournament with its opening game on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 pm in Boise, Idaho. UNC will play the winner of the 7-10 game between Montana and Southern Utah that takes place Monday in Boise, Idaho.
To stay up to date on all things UNC women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @UNCBearsWBB.
The Lumberjacks shot 61.9 percent in the quarter and out rebounded the Bears 15-3 while scoring 29 points.
Savannah Smith led the way for UNC matching her program record 40 points in a game and rest the record for made 3s in a game with nine. She added in four rebounds, two assists and a steal while playing the 40 minutes.
After a back and forth battle in the first quarter that saw UNC lead 16-13, the second quarter belonged to the Lumberjacks.
Northern Arizona used a 9-0 run to go up by six early on in the quarter and expanded it to as much as eight. A pair of Smith 3s cut the lead to four before the half, but NAU closed the half on a 7-0 run to lead 42-31 at the break.
The Bears come out of the half strong going on a 9-0 run cuts the lead to 5 before the mid-way point of the third. The Lumberjacks responded with a 7-0 run to build the lead back to 11 and not look back.
What they said
Head Coach Jenny Huth
Overall thoughts on the game
Northern Arizona came out really hot in the second quarter and it hurt us. We just really couldn't get any stops and then offensively we were taking quick shots, just couldn't really find rhythm even with good looks and I think that trickled over to the defensive end. We gave up those 29 points in the quarter and that was the difference. I felt like we played even with them the rest of the game, but really just couldn't turn that corner. We got it down to five points in the third and just couldn't get over the hump. That was really frustrating. You want to end your season on a high note, but it doesn't always end that way. It's just tough, overall it was a tough game in which we gave up too many easy looks. It's the second game in a row we have allowed over 70 points and we will need to make some adjustments and I have to do a better job with our team.
About Micayla Isenbart's Play
We need Micayla to be super aggressive like she did tonight in the tournament. We can't just rely on Savannah in the tournament we need everyone to pitch in and step up at throughout it if we want to reach our ultimate goal of winning it.
Message headed to Boise
I think we have responded well after losses throughout the season. This was a tough trip with a quick turnaround from home and then traveling here all day. The message to the team is let's learn from this and get better. We can learn from this but also move forward and not dwell on it.
Stat to know
A 48-38 advantage in rebounding helped Northern Arizona on Saturday afternoon. The Lumberjacks scored 42 points in the paint. Of their 48 rebounds, 16 of them were on the offensive end.
Game notes
- Micayla Isenbart was the only other Bear to score in double figures with 10 points. Half of her points came in the third quarter.
- Ali Meyer recorded 22nd double-figure rebound game of the year with 12 on Saturday.
- NAU's Kaleigh Paplow finished the game with 27 points and 15 rebounds.
- Smith's nine made 3s match a Walkup Skydome record.
What's ahead
Northern Colorado is the No. 2 seed in the Big Sky Conference Tournament with its opening game on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30 pm in Boise, Idaho. UNC will play the winner of the 7-10 game between Montana and Southern Utah that takes place Monday in Boise, Idaho.
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
NAU
FG%
.385
.425
3FG%
.306
.273
FT%
.778
.786
RB
38
48
TO
13
11
STL
6
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
40
FGM
12
3FGM
9
FTM
7
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G/PG
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