Clutch fourth quarter hands Bears the victory in Cheney

Thursday, January 21

Cheney, WA

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

5-9,4-5Big Sky

Eastern Washington University

5-7,4-3Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

Photo by: Ragen Wareham

1/21/2021 9:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

CHENEY, Wash. – Down to the wire, Bears up and down the roster delivered clutch performances, sealing a thrilling victory over Eastern Washington, 58-55.

Northern Colorado jumped out to the early lead, in part thanks to a stellar defensive effort that forced the Eagles to only five first-quarter points.

1Q | @jazgayles with the triple and we're off and running!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/YEFUfVvo1v
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

Eastern Washington spent much of the next twenty minutes chipping away at UNC's advantage.

Sophomore Alisha Davis did her best to stiff-arm EWU. At the halfway mark, Davis already dumped in 10 points and gobbled up nine rebounds. By the end of the night Davis would tally 21 points and 15 boards.

2Q | @alishaaa_5 cannot. be. stopped. #BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/wuALR1LLnH
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

Seconds into the fourth quarter, the Eagles had climbed all the way back to take the lead.

Step in Alexis Chapman, Jasmine Gayles, Mele Finau and well everyone really.

Hannah Simental's steal and score sparked the Bears' momentum.

4Q | I'll take that says @hjsimental #BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/hDsfHCPj5H
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

Seconds later, Gayles drained a three to tie the game at 46.

4Q | @jazgayles = Clutch#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/vpPkq6QxaM
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

Mele Finau followed with a three of her own while Davis continued a perfect night at the charity stripe.

4Q | @melfinau also very clutch. We have a lot of clutchness over here ok!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/7SzFzarh15
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

Tensions came to an all-time high with 10 seconds left as Chapman drove to the hoop and euro-stepped her way to the bucket to take back the lead for the final time.

4Q | @20_chapman clutchness level 💯#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/rfguwsA9fn
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 22, 2021

A missed basket at the other end of the floor paved the way for Davis to cap off the night with a pair of free throws, handing UNC its fourth Big Sky win of the season.

Postgame Thoughts
Jenny Huth, Head Coach
"Really proud of the team. While we got an early cushion, we needed to push into the lead a bit by playing great defense. I think we had spurts in the second and third quarters when we got a little lackadaisical on both sides of the ball.

"Alisha [Davis] was really consistent for us tonight and stepped to the free-throw line with great confidence. Jasmine [Gayles] hit a big three in the fourth and Lex [Chapman[ had a huge bucket in the final seconds.

"I think out team is learning it can be a group effort and each person has a role to step up and help us at any given moment. We ended the game on two key defensive stops with great effort, focus and communication."

Game Notes

Alisha Davis was one rebound shy of double double in the first half
Davis finished a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line
Davis also matched notched her eighth double double of the season and 15^th of her career while matching her season-high in rebounds with 15.
UNC's perimeter defense held the Eagles to just 3-12 from downtown
The Bears outrebounded EWU 41-33

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado and Eastern Washington turn right back around for a second matchup on Saturday. The game is scheduled for 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.