University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Tuesday, December 1
Greeley, Colo.
6:30 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
1-2,0-0Big Sky
75
vs
74
University of Denver
1-1,0-0Summit League
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 18 | 17 | 17 | 22 | 74 |
| Northern Colo. | 19 | 17 | 24 | 15 | 75 |
Bears outpace Pioneers for first win of the season
12/1/2020 10:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo. – Head coach Jenny Huth has been adamant in practices about the importance of conditioning. Tuesday night, in a back-and-forth battle against Denver, it was Huth's Bears who outran the Pioneers, 75-74.
After finishing with just six points against Omaha on Sunday afternoon, sophomore forward Alisha Davis started the game on a tear, establishing herself in the paint early for the Bears' first points of the game. Twenty-four points and 14 rebounds is a nice way to celebrate your 20th birthday.
Denver relied heavily on the three-point shots. In the first quarter, the Pios were 4-10 from deep, keeping them within striking distance after the first 10 minutes.
Davis continued her dominance in the paint throughout the first half. At the mid-way point, UNC had a 24-10 advantage down low.
Along with Davis, freshman Hannah Simental put together the best performance of her young career. The Pueblo, Colorado native cared out 16 points on the evening, including a perfect 5-5 effort from the free-throw line.
In the third quarter, Jasmine Gayles jumped into the action. Denver retook the lead and it was Gayles' three that gave the edge back to Northern Colorado. Then the sophomore hit another, and another, and another.
By the end of the third, UNC claimed an eight-point lead, 60-52.
The Pioneers didn't go quietly, however, Denver battled back through a nerve-wracking final quarter and retook the lead with two minutes to go.
In the game's waning moments, it was the newest Bear, Simental, who collected a second effort, drove to basketball and earned a trip to the charity stripe. A couple of clutch free throws later and UNC led by a single point, 75-74, with 22 seconds on the clock.
With the memory of Sunday's contest behind them, UNC's defense stood strong, handing the Bears its first win of the season.
Post-Game Thoughts
Game Notes
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado hosts Abilene Christian for the first meeting between the two programs on Friday, December 4.
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.
Gallery: (12-1-2020) Women's Basketball vs. Denver 12/01/2020
After finishing with just six points against Omaha on Sunday afternoon, sophomore forward Alisha Davis started the game on a tear, establishing herself in the paint early for the Bears' first points of the game. Twenty-four points and 14 rebounds is a nice way to celebrate your 20th birthday.
4Q | @alishaaa_5 is on 🔥🔥🔥#BearStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/dW7kvebXiV
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) December 2, 2020
Denver relied heavily on the three-point shots. In the first quarter, the Pios were 4-10 from deep, keeping them within striking distance after the first 10 minutes.
Davis continued her dominance in the paint throughout the first half. At the mid-way point, UNC had a 24-10 advantage down low.
Along with Davis, freshman Hannah Simental put together the best performance of her young career. The Pueblo, Colorado native cared out 16 points on the evening, including a perfect 5-5 effort from the free-throw line.
In the third quarter, Jasmine Gayles jumped into the action. Denver retook the lead and it was Gayles' three that gave the edge back to Northern Colorado. Then the sophomore hit another, and another, and another.
3Q | @jazgayles KNOCKS IT DOWN‼️#BearStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/bIn6SYce2B
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) December 2, 2020
By the end of the third, UNC claimed an eight-point lead, 60-52.
The Pioneers didn't go quietly, however, Denver battled back through a nerve-wracking final quarter and retook the lead with two minutes to go.
In the game's waning moments, it was the newest Bear, Simental, who collected a second effort, drove to basketball and earned a trip to the charity stripe. A couple of clutch free throws later and UNC led by a single point, 75-74, with 22 seconds on the clock.
4Q | Up by 1 with 22 seconds remaining. Let's go Bears!!#BearStrong🐻🏀 #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/cT0LlHUh4K
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) December 2, 2020
With the memory of Sunday's contest behind them, UNC's defense stood strong, handing the Bears its first win of the season.
Post-Game Thoughts
Game Notes
- Freshman Hannah Simental turned in her best performance of the season with a career-high 16 points.
- Jasmine Gayles collected a career-high eight rebounds to go along with her 14 points on the night.
- UNC notched a season-low 12 turnovers, with just one coming in the final quarter.
- Sophomore Alecia Whyte earned her first start of the season and the fifth of her career. Whyte's 10 points and three assists were instrumental in the win.
What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado hosts Abilene Christian for the first meeting between the two programs on Friday, December 4.
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.
Team Stats
Denver
UNC
FG%
.397
.418
3FG%
.300
.368
FT%
.833
.600
RB
37
43
TO
9
12
STL
7
4
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
11
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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