University of Northern Colorado Athletics
University of Northern Colorado
7-10,6-6Big Sky
Northern Arizona University
7-9,5-7Big Sky
Lumberjacks outrun Bears in Flagstaff
1/30/2021 2:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Flagstaff, Ariz. – Northern Colorado Women's Basketball left it all on the court Saturday afternoon at Northern Arizona. In the end, the Bears' gritty effort came up a bit short, falling 84-81 to the Lumberjacks.
Much of the first half felt like Thursday's contest that saw the Bears hold NAU to its lowest scoring total of the season (59 points). Midway through the opening quarter, Northern Arizona took the lead and never looked back.
Alisha Davis and Jasmine Gayles, who combined for 43 points on Thursday, paced UNC's effort in the first half, tallying 16 points between the dynamic duo.
1Q | @alishaaa_5 finds @Olivianwikstrom !!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/6slYEISU6q
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 30, 2021
Davis and Gayles each finished in double figures. Davis managed 11 points while Gayles poured in a team-high 20.
At the break, the Bears deficit was just five points thanks to 44 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 50 percent from the field.
2Q | @jazgayles with a big bucket to close out the half!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/S93lNpvobM
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 30, 2021
Both offenses came racing out the gates to begin the third quarter. End-to-end each team traded baskets like two heavyweight boxers trading haymakers.
When the dust settled to begin the final quarter, UNC had clawed away at the Lumberjack lead with a 24-point quarter. Each team had shot north of 50 percent from the floor.
3Q | and @micaylann gets us within one!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/tsYOSdgfL2
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 30, 2021
Fans could hardly catch their breaths as Gayles and freshman Hannah Simental's lethal three-point shooting kept Northern Colorado within arms reach of NAU.
Simental's third three of the game brought the Bears within two, 72-70. However, the Lumberjacks had answers for every UNC run all afternoon long.
4Q | @hjsimental !!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/7Wxtyopu0Q
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 30, 2021
A quick 8-1 run from NAU had many thinking the game was all but over. Chapman, Gayles and Simental had other ideas.
4Q | @20_chapman 👀👀👀#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/VVOJUu6F6I
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 30, 2021
All three delivered clutch buckets, forcing Northern Arizona to earn the victory from the line.
What They Said
Head Coach, Jenny Huth
"We played well on the offensive end toady. We assisted baskets, had great shot selection and our overall efficiency was solid. Defensively, we had solid moments but then gave up costly offensive boards. We have to have more pride guarding one-on-one. We gave up way too many straight line drives and easy baskets to their guards. We need to regroup and learn from this. I expect our team to do so."
Stat of the Game
Second-chance opportunities proved to be vital. Thirteen offensive rebounds led to 15 points for the Lumberjacks. The Bears had just two second-chance points.
Game Notes
- Jasmine Gayles made sure to pack her stellar shooting on the trip to Flagstaff. Gayles poured in a team-high 20 points, making it back-to-back games the sophomore reached 20 plus points.
- All five starters reach double figures for Northern Colorado. It's the first time this season the Bears have accomplished the feat.
- Hannah Simental continues to shoot lights out from deep. At No. 2 in the country in three-point percentage, Simental dialed up 3-6 beyond the arc Saturday afternoon.
- Shooting 4-8 from the floor and 4-6 from deep, Alexis Chapman gave her best performance of the season with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns to the Bank of Colorado Arena for two games against Southern Utah. Thursday and Saturday's matchups are slated for 6:30 p.m. and Noon MT, respectively.
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.
