Downing's double-double not enough to get by Vandals

Thursday, January 20

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

4-8,0-4Big Sky

Idaho

4-12,3-4Big Sky

Idaho

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

1/20/2022 9:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado treated the home fans inside Bank of Colorado Arena to another thrilling affair, this time against Idaho. The Bears and Vandals exchanged the lead six times on Thursday evening but timely buckets in the game's final moments gave Idaho the victory, 64-59.

The visitors roared out to an early lead as UNC's defense took a moment to find its footing. Once they got up to game speed, though, it was game on.

Trailing by five after the first quarter, junior forward Callie Boyles stepped in to fill a huge role.

The Denton, Texas native poured in eight of her 10 points in the second frame alone. Mix in an Allie Downing three-pointer, the Bears retook the lead with two minutes to play in the half.

.@callie_boyles is EVERYWHERE tonight.#GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/Wbiz9tZRZv
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 21, 2022

Out of the break, it was Downing who hit the ground running. Not only did the senior lead the way offensively with 15 points, but the 5'10" guard also crashed the boards better than anyone on the floor as well.

Piling up a game-high 12 rebounds, downing solidified her first double-double in the Blue and Gold.

SHE'S ON FIRE@allie_downing17 | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/VXiL6Mtfl7
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 21, 2022

Head coach Kristen Mattio's defense dug its heels in the fourth quarter. The Bears held Idaho to 15.4 percent shooting, including 0-2 from beyond the arc.

In fact, as a whole UNC's defensive effort held the Vandals to a 5-23 effort from deep against a team that averages nearly nine made threes a game.

Nine straight points in the final minutes proved too much to overcome for Northern Colorado, however, as Idaho took the win, 64-59.

What They Said

Stat of the Game
Allie Downing was 3-5 from three-point land on the evening. The senior from New Madison, Ohio has now hit at least one three in eight straight games.

Game Notes

Allie Downing posted her first double-double in the Blue and Gold (15 points, 12 rebounds).
Callie Boyles also reached double figures with 10 points.
Kurstyn Harden turned in another sturdy rebounding performance with eight boards.
UNC's defense held Idaho just 5-23 from three (21.7 percent).
Northern Colorado's bench outscored its opponent for the seventh time this season.

What's Ahead
Games come quickly in Greeley these days as Northern Colorado resets to face Eastern Washington on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT. Tickets can be purchased at UNCBears.com/Tickets.

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.