Gayles, Davis Spark Bears Win over Hornets

Saturday, February 15

Greeley, Colo.

1 pm

University of Northern Colorado

11-12,7-7Big Sky

Sacramento State

8-16,6-9Big Sky

Sacramento St.

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

2/15/2020 4:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado swept the season series against Sacramento State

By: Matthew Kushar, UNCBears.com

The freshmen came of age for Northern Colorado women's basketball Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Sacramento State, 90-73. Alisha Davis and Jasmine Gayles fueled the Bears win with 22 and 21 points respectively. Both players' totals were career highs.

UNC scored a season high, 90 points, and shot 56.7 percent from the floor. The team also had it working from three-point range, shooting 50 percent. Gayles was a perfect 5-of-5 from behind the arc. The Bears' defense was solid again, holding the Hornets to 35.6 percent shooting.

In the first quarter, UNC set the tone with 66.7 percent shooting performance and taking a 24-15 lead over Sac. St. Davis scored 11 of her points in the quarter on 5-of-7 shooting and Gayles added eight points, making two-of-her-five three-points.

UNC kept the offense at a high level in the second quarter, shooting 52.9 percent. Davis and Gayles each scored nine points in the quarter to continue to separate from the Hornets. Alexis Chapman added five assists in the quarter. The Bears would stretch the lead out to 49-29 at halftime.

The third quarter was a grind between the two teams, as UNC committed nine fouls and had eight turnovers. Despite the struggles, UNC managed to keep Sac. St. at a distance. Kurstyn Harden came off the bench and scored seven points on 3-of-3 shooting to lead the Bears in the quarter. Micayla Isenbart added six points in the quarter as well. UNC was up 70-49 with one quarter remaining.

Going to the final quarter, Sac. St. stepped up their offense, outscoring UNC 24-20 in the quarter. The Bears had built a large enough lead to cruise through the final quarter. Isenbart scored five points to lead UNC in the quarter and the team shot 46.7 percent from the floor.

Northern Colorado defeated Sacramento State, 90-73, with four players scoring in double digits. UNC improved its record in the Big Sky to 7-7 and 11-12 overall this season. Sac. St. fell to 6-9 in conference and 8-16 overall.

Post-Game Thoughts from Coach

Game Notes

Northern Colorado has now defeated Sacramento State in seven consecutive games.
UNC out-rebounded Sac St. 41-28 with Ali Meyer pulling down a game-high nine rebounds. Jasmine Gayles matched her career high with seven rebounds.
Alexis Chapman recorded a career high, seven assists against the Hornets.
The Bears outscored Sac St. 48-22 in the paint.
Micayla Isenbart had a bounce-back game, scoring 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting.
Kurstyn Harden set a new career high with 11 points on Saturday and shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor.
UNC's bench had a 21-9 scoring advantage over Sac St.
Meyer matched her career high with four assists.
Brooklyn Evans set a career high with four assists as well.
The freshmen Bears accounted for 61 of the team's 90 points.

What's Ahead?
UNC will be on the road for one game next week against Southern Utah on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.(MST). The Bears will return home to host Idaho State on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. The game is Northern Colorado's annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day.