Red-hot Downing not enough to get past Bobcats

Thursday, December 2

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

2-4,0-1Big Sky

Montana State

3-5,1-0Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana St.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

12/2/2021 9:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

BOZEMAN, Mont. – For the first time this season, Northern Colorado Women's Basketball fans got a look at the Bears against a conference opponent.

While Allie Downing poured in a career-high and UNC battled toe-to-toe with Montana State, they couldn't quite outlast the Bobcats, falling 63-57.

It took a moment for the Bears to find their rhythm.

Even though UNC scored just eight first-quarter points, head coach Kristen Mattio's crew came roaring back in the second quarter.

Nine points from Allie Downing set the tone as the Bears outscored the Bobcats 18-12 to pull within two at the midway point.

Downing could hardly miss on Thursday evening. In easily the best performance as a Bear, Downing splashed in six three-pointers to lead all scorers with 18 points.

Coming out of halftime, Northern Colorado was determined to keep it close.

UTEP transfer Sabine Lipe found her stroke from the outside, pouring in two threes on a night the Latvian shot 6-9 from the field. Lipe also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Early on in 2021, it's been the Northern Colorado bench that has given teams all they can handle. That proved no different against Montana State. With Downing and Lipe both reaching double figures, UNC's bench outscored the Bobcats 44-12.

Defensively, the Bears turned in sturdy efforts up and down the roster.

Hannah Simental racked up two steals, while Jaiden Galloway swooped in for five rebounds.

Back and forth the two traded blows in the fourth quarter. Lipe hit back-to-back triples to pull the Bears within three, and a Jaiden Galloway free throw gave UNC multiple chances to tie or take the lead.

Even when MSU tried to pull away late, Simental sunk her third three to get to 12 points and get her team back within striking distance.

In the end, Montana State's 70-percent effort from the charity stripe sealed the deal.

While a close loss is no consolation prize, the 63-57 final against a team picked to finish second in the Big Sky has put the rest of the conference on notice. These Bears mean business.

Stat of the Game
For the third consecutive game, Northern Colorado's bench outscored its opponent. Behind Allie Downing's career-high, the Bears bench outscored the Bobcats 44-12.

Game Notes

Senior guard Allie Downing notched a new career-high (18 points).
Sabine Lipe set a new season-high with 16 points, the most she's scored in a Bear uniform.
UNC bench outscored its opponent for the third straight game.
Hannah Simental has now knocked down a three in six straight games.
Five rebounds is a new career-high for Jaiden Galloway.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado will pop over to Missoula for a matchup with Montana on Saturday, December 4. Tip-off is slated for 2 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.