Davis and co. lead sweep of Eastern Washington

Saturday, January 23

Cheney, WA

1 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

6-9,5-5Big Sky

Eastern Washington University

5-8,4-4Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

1/23/2021 3:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

CHENEY, Wash. – Northern Colorado Women's Basketball had split each of its last three Big Sky Conference series but a fast start and strong finish left little doubt of a UNC Sweep in Cheney.

Ten threes paved the way to a 74-55 victory over the Eagles and for Northern Colorado to get back to .500 in Big Sky play.

1Q | @hjsimental starts the scoring with a triple!#BearsStrong #BigskyWBB pic.twitter.com/hsxeRJeJra
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 23, 2021

Inspired by its fourth conference win of the season on Thursday, the Bears jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. They would never look back.

Alisha Davis' 10-point first quarter would be a sign of things to come for the Bears. The Aurora, Colorado, native finished with 22 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

1Q | @alishaaa_5 doing work down low!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/J25sOdjaST
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 23, 2021

Looking to keep the foot on the gas, head coach Jenny Huth's Bears pulled off another big run in the second quarter, this one 16-0 that would increase Northern Colorado's cushion.

A week ago, Brooklyn Evans dialed up her best performance of the season with 10 points. Saturday in Cheney, the junior guard scored six in the second quarter alone to keep Eastern Washington from gaining any momentum.

2Q | defense to offense for @BrooklynJenelle #BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/468klEcJdR
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 23, 2021

Fans would've expected the Eagles to make a push in the second half. However, UNC matched EWU's intensity step-for-step.

Senior Alexis Chapman jumped into the scoring barrage in the second half, pouring in five straight points. Chapman finished with a season-high 10 points, four assists and two rebounds.

In the final quarter, it was the one-two punch of Davis and freshman Hannah Simental who finished off the victory. Simental, who came into the weekend second in the nation in three-point percentage (56%), hit 4-6 from downtown on Saturday and finished with 14 points.

4Q | Not 1, not 2, not 3... but FOUR threes for @hjsimental !!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/QRnQs8BBFq
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 23, 2021

Postgame Thoughts
Jenny Huth, Head Coach
"We did a better job offensively today than Friday's game and had spurts of really quality offense. We shared the ball well today and I was pleased with our shot selection. Still a lot to improve upon but a step in the right direction."

Game Notes

With 22 points, Alisha Davis notched her third 20-point game of the season and seventh of her career.
Alexis Chapman finished with season highs in points (10) and assists (4).
Micayla Isenbart dialed up her fourth double-figure performance of the season.
Hannah Simental reached double-figures for the sixth time in her young career.
The Bears held EWU just 33 percent shooting and 17 percent from downtown (3-17).
Seventy-four points is the second-highest total for UNC this season. The Bears scored 77 against Montana on January 3.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado returns home for a matchup against Northern Arizona on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. MT. In its first split series of the year, Saturday's game will be in Flagstaff, slated 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.