Three Bears reach double figures, Bears can't catch Bengals

Saturday, January 29

Pocatello, Idaho

2 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

6-10,2-6Big Sky

Idaho State

13-7,9-2Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho St.

1/29/2022 4:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

POCATELLO, Idaho – Three different Bears finished in double figures on Saturday afternoon but it wasn't enough to catch Idaho State as the home Bengals took the victory, 68-56.

Both teams shot out of cannon to begin the opening quarter.

Sabine Lipe and Micayla Isenbart each found the bottom of the bet from long range to open the scoring. As a team, UNC was 3-8 from beyond the arc to keep within one of the Bengals.

Q1 | @micaylann finds the right rhythm from three!!

UNC - 8
ISU - 4#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/27k2dfDjlF
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 29, 2022

Defense was the name of the game in the second quarter. Neither team shot above 30 percent from the floor as the pace ground to a halt.

Hustle from Callie Boyles and blocks from Isenbart kept Idaho State from getting anywhere near the basket for over three minutes.

At the halfway mark, the home side owned an advantage by only two points, 27-25.

Following a small run from the Bengals, Northern Colorado fought back with gritty efforts from the likes of Jaiden Galloway and Jayce Gorzeman.

Q3 | @_jaiiirose turning defense into offense!!

UNC - 32
ISU - 35#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/KMqYYWqdqM
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) January 29, 2022

UNC tried to save its fireworks for the fourth quarter just as they did against Sacramento State and Weber State.

An insane possession saw the Bears score five points when Allie Downing connected on a three as Hannah Simental was simultaneously fouled. The five-point boost brought Northern Colorado with six.

However, Idaho State capitalized on a pair of turnovers to go on a run for themselves. Combined with a sturdy effort from the free-throw line, the Bengals closed out the win, 68-56.

Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado was a robust 22-26 from the charity stripe. The 22 made free throws were the most the Bears have made this season.

Game Notes

Hannah Simental led all scorers with 13 points. It was the 11^th time this season she's hit double figures.
Kurstyn Harden (10 points) and Allie Downing (11 points) rounded out the Bears who finished with 10 or more.
Jayce Gorzeman's eight points were tied for the most she's scored this season.
Northern Colorado's bench outscored its opponent (16-10) for the 10^th time this season.
UNC outrebounded its opponent for the 13^th time this season.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado stays on the road, traveling to Northern Arizona on Monday. UNC will return to Bank of Colorado Arena on February 5, against the same Lumberjack team. 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.