Isenbart game-winner sinks Vandals

Thursday, January 14

Greeley, Colo.

6:30 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

4-8,3-4Big Sky

University of Idaho

6-5,5-2Big Sky

Idaho

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Woody Myers

1/14/2021 9:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Just what the doctor, and head coach Jenny Huth, ordered.

In arguably one of its best performances of the season, Northern Colorado Women's basketball knocked off Idaho, 63-61.

Energized by the site of a home crowd, UNC shot out of a cannon to open the contest against the Vandals, hitting three three-pointers and racing out to an 11-0 lead.

1Q | What a way to get things started‼️#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/Gqjfu9bG0F
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 15, 2021

The Bears expected a fight, though, and they got one.

Each team traded what were seemingly decisive blows. By halftime, Idaho clung to a 26-25 advantage.

Freshman Hannah Simental was up for the challenge. Equaling her career-high, Simental poured in 19 points, dished out three assists and pulled down two rebounds in a team-high 36 minutes on the floor.

3Q | Simental is on 🔥🔥🔥#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/PGD8qgQtXS
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 15, 2021

Defensively, it was the work of Jaiden Galloway who stayed on the floor for a career-high 34 minutes that kept Idaho in check for much of the second half while UNC trailed by just two points entering the final quarter.

When it mattered most, Alisha Davis found room in the paint. Though it wasn't a record-shattering evening for Davis, the sophomore forward still found 11 points, six rebounds and three crucial steals.

4Q | Nothing stops Davis 💪#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/M3UGikyabM
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 15, 2021

Trailing by two with under a minute to play, Huth turned to her lone senior Alexis Chapman to make a play

Chapman answered the call.

Rising between two Idaho defenders in the post, Chapman banked one off the window, tying the game at 61.

4Q | ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/7JwpPJkxix
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 15, 2021

Seconds later following a defensive stop, the Bears finally had a shot to take the lead.

In somewhat of a broken play, junior Micayla Isenbart surprisingly found herself open at the elbow but shocking no one, buried the jumper.

4Q | Isenbart hits the shot🤯‼️#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/8qCOT8vmrP
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 15, 2021

To seal the deal, Alisha Davis pick pocketed the Vandals one last time to run out the clock and hand UNC its second straight victory.

Postgame Thoughts

Game Notes

Hannah Simental matched her career-high with 19 points and set one with three assists.
Northern Colorado dominated the paint, outscoring Idaho 26-12.
The Bears shot lights-out from beyond the arc, managing 9-16 (56%) from deep.
Jaiden Galloway set new career highs in minutes (34) and rebounds (4)
Senior Alexis Chapman dialed up a season-best nine points, including the game-tying bucket.
UNC handed Idaho just its second loss in conference play this season.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado will host Idaho one last time on Saturday. The game is set for noon 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.