Bears drop first Big Sky contest of the New Year

Friday, January 1

Greeley, Colo.

6:30 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

1-7,0-3Big Sky

University of Montana

3-2,1-0Big Sky

Montana

Northern Colo.

1/1/2021 9:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Freshman Hannah Simental notched a career-high 19 points but a late run from Montana gave the Lady Griz the victory, 60-56.

Northern Colorado came out of the gates hot. The Bears hit five threes in the opening half and shot nearly 40% from the floor to stretch its lead over Montana.

1Q | The dime from @alishaaa_5 and the finish from @hjsimental!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/F1iajXNEvs
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 2, 2021

After missing the Wyoming matchup due to a concussion, Hannah Simental wasted little time inserting herself into the contest. The freshman from Pueblo finished with a game-high 19 points. Simental also notched a career-high four rebounds.

2Q | @hjsimental with another from the great beyond!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/qtc2SA0fP3
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 2, 2021

UNC led 37-25 at the halfway mark and stretched it to as many as 19 before cold shooting took over the final quarter. Still, the Bears held Montana to just 29% from the field and 4-18 from deep.

The addition of transfer Jaiden Galloway was a welcome holiday gift for head coach Jenny Huth and company. In her first action in the Blue and Gold, Galloway proved to be a nuisance on the defensive end of the floor all night not to mention adding three rebounds and two assists off the bench.

2Q | Jaiden Galloway's first contribution as a Bear is a sweet assist to @micaylann !!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/gdk1nFcNJA
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 2, 2021

Galloway's Grandview High School teammate Alisha Davis once again proved why she was voted onto the Preseason Big Sky All-Conference Team. With 10 points and 12 rebounds, Davis etched her fifth double-double of the season while simultaneously compiling four blocks.

Sophomore guard Jasmine Gayles (10 points) signified the third Bear to finish in double figures, the fourth time she's accomplished the feat this season.

2Q | @jazgayles is tough!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/S3V0aqJP2Q
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 2, 2021

Postgame Thoughts

Game Notes
- Alisha Davis notched her fifth double-double of the season and 12th of her career.
- Hannah Simental etched new career highs in points (19) and rebounds (4).
- Jasmine Gayles finished in double figures for the fourth time this campaign.
- Jaden Galloway played her first minutes as a Bear after her transfer came through.
- UNC held Montana to a season-low 29% from the field and 22% from three.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado will get an opportunity for revenge on Sunday when the Bears and the Lady Griz go toe-to-toe once more at 1 p.m. MT.

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.