Second half comeback falls short, Bears drop opener to Kansas

Wednesday, November 25

Lawrence, KS

5 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

0-1,0-0Big Sky

University of Kansas

1-0,0-0Big 12

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Northern Colo.	11	9	23	19	62
Kansas	25	20	14	19	78

Photo by: Kansas Athletics Communications

11/25/2020 8:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite its best effort, Northern Colorado Women's Basketball couldn't quite overcome a first-half deficit, falling to Kansas, 78-62, in the opening contest of the season.

KU jumped out to an early 14-4 lead behind stellar shooting and five early turnovers from the Bears.

Turnovers would prove to be a key issue for UNC in the first half. Northern Colorado turned it over 12 times in the first half, leading to 16 points for KU.

At the break, senior Alexis Chapman led the team with six points, knocking down the Bears' only two three-pointers on 13 attempts.

Whatever head coach Jenny Huth told her team at the halftime break, it worked.

Northern Colorado settled into the game almost immediately, beginning with sophomore forward Alisha Davis. Davis, who led the Big Sky in field goal percentage a year ago, went right to work in the third quarter, scoring six quick points in the paint and sparking early momentum for the Bears.

Davis finished with a team-leading 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Jasmine Gayles wasn't far behind with 12 points and three assists.

UNC's sustained effort continued into the final quarter. Junior Micayla Isenbart and freshman Olivia Wikstrom got in on the action with a pair of three's, bringing the Bears within 11.

Though Kansas would inevitably pull away, it was Northern Colorado's determined effort that highlighted the entire second half as they outscored the Jayhawks, 42-33.

Post-Game Thoughts
Jenny Huth, Head Coach
"We settled into the game in the second half. I thought Alisha (Davis) found her groove and we spaced the floor better as a team to get more open looks. Additionally, we defended actions they had and settled into getting open versus pressure.

"Overall, it's a starting point, and we have to improve each time we are out there. We have some really great potential in our locker room and to realize it, we have to keep growing in all the little things."

Game Notes

True freshman Hannah Simental got the nod in the starting lineup.
Fellow freshmen Olivia Wikstrom and Elli Garnett along with transfers Alisa Wiggins and Reka Soos all saw their first action in the Blue and Gold.
Alisha Davis notched her eighth career double-double and finished in double-figures scoring for the 21st time in her career.
After committing 12 turnovers in the first half, UNC flipped the script, only coughing it up three times in the second half.
UNC received a noticeable effort from its bench, outscoring KU 20-17 in the category.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado will return to Greeley on Sunday, November 29, to host Omaha. The Mavericks are also coming off a loss to a Big 12 opponent, Iowa State, 69-43.

To stay up to date on all things UNC Women's basketball, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.