Bears ready to rebound against Eastern Washington on Kids Day

Saturday, January 22

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

Eastern Washington

Buy Tickets

Photo by: Jam David

1/21/2022 1:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

ESPN+LIVE STATS TICKETS

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Women's Basketball eyes to get back to its winning ways, hosting Eastern Washington Saturday afternoon for Kids Day. All youth 13 and under can receive a free ticket to the game by purchasing tickets at UNCBears.com/Tickets with the promo code KIDSDAY.

Game Info
Who: vs. Eastern Washington (4-12, 2-5)
When: January 22 at 2 p.m. MT
Where: Bank of Colorado Arena
How To Follow: LIVE STREAM | LIVE STATS | UNC_BearsWBB

Opening Tip
Not only is Northern Colorado one of the most efficient teams in shooting the three, the Bears also take pride in defending the arc. Entering Saturday's contest, UNC ranks second in the Big Sky in three-point field goal percentage defense (27.5%) which is also No. 57 in the country.

The Bears boast not one, but two of the best sharpshooters in the conference. Allie Downing is leading the pack, shooting a blistering .519 in Big Sky play. Meanwhile, teammate Hannah Simental ranks fourth at .429.

Thanks to Downing's first Blue and Gold double-double, the senior is also No. 6 in the conference in rebounding at 7.8 per contest.

Kristen Mattio's defense continues to be a strong point this season. UNC is average an even 60.0 points against this season, the second-best in the Big Sky. Mattio's Bears have also shown great discipline, committing the 17th fewest personal fouls in the nation with 189 in 12 games.

Last Time Out
Senior guard Allie Downing was everywhere against Idaho on Thursday night, compiling her first double-double in the Blue and Gold with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The New Madison, Ohio native also hit a three for the eighth consecutive game but it wasn't enough to topple the Vandals with Idaho claiming victory, 64-59.

Scouting the Eagles
First-year head coach Joddie Gleason already has two Big Sky victories to her name with wins over Weber State and Portland State. Gleason's team is not shy from three-point range with the third-most three's attempted in the conference and 66th most in the nation at 367.

Freshman Jaydia Martin has been the most keen to let three's fly. The Washington native is No. 1 in the Big Sky in three's attempted, three-point field goals made and three-point field goals per game.

Fellow freshman Andie Zylak orchestrates the offense, leading the Eagles in assists per game with 3.7.

History against Eastern Washington
It's been 726 days since the Eagles have stepped foot in Greeley with both of last season's contests set in Cheney. All-time, Northern Colorado is 19-11 versus EWU with an 8-4 mark in Bank of Colorado Arena. Additionally, the Bears are riding a four-game win streak over Eastern Washington.

What's Ahead?
Five straight road games are on the horizon for Northern Colorado, beginning with Sacramento State on Monday, January 24. UNC returns to Bank of Colorado Arena on February 5, against Northern Arizona. 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.