Lockdown defense lifts Bears over Bobcats

Saturday, January 9

Bozeman, Mont.

Noon MT

University of Northern Colorado

3-8,2-4Big Sky

Montana State University

4-4,1-1Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

Photo by: MSU Photo Services

1/9/2021 3:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Defense has been the name of the game in Bozeman this weekend. Once again, Jenny Huth's Bears held the Bobcats under 30 percent shooting but today UNC shot 44 percent from the floor, including eight threes that led to Northern Colorado's second Big Sky win of the season, 57-49.

Montana State came hot, hitting a pair of threes to take the early lead. However, UNC's defense settled in its groove.

Not only did the Bears put up impressive defensive numbers, but they also outrebounded the Bobcats 39-33, including 14 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points.

One of those cleaning the glass Saturday afternoon was sophomore forward Alisha Davis. Collecting her seventh double-double of the season, Davis posted 10 points and 11 rebounds.

1Q | @alishaaa_5 💪💪💪#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/FQAshOkQt3
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 9, 2021

Right by Davis' side was Micayla Isenbart. To go along with her five rebounds, the Colorado native collected a game-high 15 points, going a perfect 2-2 from deep and hitting three clutch free throws down the stretch.

3Q | @micaylann opens the scoring in the third!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/KIEVCOfNVq
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 9, 2021

Grabbing her third start of the season, Metro State Denver transfer Jaiden Galloway managed a career-high nine points. All while directing the offense and cause havoc on the defensive end of the floor.

4Q | Oh what a bucket by @_jaiiirose !!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/ISMVoKWFaO
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 9, 2021

Once the Bears overtook the Bobcats in the first quarter. Northern Colorado never looked back.

Leading by six, with three minutes to play, timely rebounding from Alexis Chapman and Alisha Davis would let Isenbart and Jasmine Gayles ice the game at the charity stripe.

Speaking of Gayles, the do-it-all sophomore guard only finished with four points but matched a team-high in assists with three and pulled down six rebounds in the winning effort.

4Q | @jazgayles doing it all!!#BearsStrong #BigSkyWBB pic.twitter.com/7C2kttbs2i
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 9, 2021

Postgame Thoughts
Jenny Huth, Head Coach
"Proud of the team. We didn't play our best and still found a way to win. We outrebounded MSU, had a season-high assist total and defended them really well. We had some really key baskets when we got into an offensive lull, and took open shots with confidence. Great team road win for us."

Game Notes

Jaiden Galloway earned the third start of her career at UNC.
Alisha Davis collected her seventh double-double of the season and 14^th of her career.
Galloway posted a career-high nine points.
The Bears matched its season-high with 12 assists against Montana State.
Micayla Isenbart filled the stat sheet with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

What's Ahead?
Northern Colorado returns home next week for two more games against preseason favorite Idaho. Thursday and Saturday's games 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.