University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Monday, January 31
Flagstaff, Ariz.
6 p.m. MT
University of Northern Colorado
7-10,3-6Big Sky
61
at
49
Northern Arizona
9-9,6-4Big Sky
1
2
3
4
F
Northern Colo.
20
10
17
14
61
Northern Ariz.
15
8
13
13
49
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
Defense dominates as Bears pick up big win in Flagstaff
1/31/2022 8:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – In arguably its most dominant effort of the season thus far, Northern Colorado led wire-to-wire, stifling one of the best offenses in the Big Sky to earn a gritty win over the Lumberjacks, 61-49.
The Bears went right down to business to open the contest. Nine quick points that included two quick buckets from Kurstyn Harden and an Allie Downing three jumpstarted the evening.
The 9-0 run gave UNC a perfect cushion from which to operate for the rest of the half.
While Northern Arizona tried to pick up the tempo with a full-court press, the Bears' patient approach and sturdy defense kept the Lumberjacks at bay.
Harden gave Northern Colorado another jolt of energy to kick off the third quarter. Two straight buckets and the Bears were in business.
Complimented by Hannah Simental (16 points), UNC had the offensive production it needed to see out the victory.
Now all Mattio's crew had to do was deliver on the defensive end. And deliver they did.
In 17 previous games this season, the Lumberjacks' lowest offensive output was 54 points. Monday evening, Northern Colorado held NAU to just 49.
For the game, Mattio's defense kept Northern Arizona to 29 percent shooting, 21 percent from three-point land and outrebounded them 40-34.
Dominant is the operative word as UNC closed out its fourth consecutive road game with a resounding, 61-49, victory.
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado held the Lumberjacks to 49 points. It was the 10th time the Bears held an opponent under 60 points and the third time they've held an opponent below 50.
What They Said
Head Coach, Kristen Mattio
"Tonight, we collectively showed some grit and toughness as a team. If you are going to get road wins in the Big Sky, you have to have a level of mental and physical toughness and we did. The girls showed a ton resilience on the defensive end which allowed us to control tempo. We just played our 7th game in 14 days…and we aren't done yet! Every player impacted the game tonight to get this win! Micayla on the boards, Kurstyn in the paint and Hannah was aggressive as well. Sydney came in and gave us solid minutes! So many positives moments for this team. They just keep getting better!"
Game Notes
Northern Colorado's road trip finally comes to an end with a trip to Portland State on Thursday, February 3. 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.
The Bears went right down to business to open the contest. Nine quick points that included two quick buckets from Kurstyn Harden and an Allie Downing three jumpstarted the evening.
The 9-0 run gave UNC a perfect cushion from which to operate for the rest of the half.
For Harden, while the Lufkin, Texas native wasn't showing off her post moves, she was busy keeping the glass squeaky clean. In the first quarter alone, Harden pulled down seven boards.Q1 | The Bears are on FIRE🔥🔥!! @allie_downing17 knocks it down!!
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 1, 2022
UNC - 9
NAU - 0#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/v2Kp7Oz5hg
While Northern Arizona tried to pick up the tempo with a full-court press, the Bears' patient approach and sturdy defense kept the Lumberjacks at bay.
Harden gave Northern Colorado another jolt of energy to kick off the third quarter. Two straight buckets and the Bears were in business.
Kurstyn would pour in another 11 points in the quarter and would finish with a game-high 25 and a career-best 13 rebounds.Q4 | 23 points, 12 rebounds! @kurstyn_harden OWNS the paint tonight!!
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 1, 2022
UNC - 55
NAU - 38#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/1XJtp1mSDg
Complimented by Hannah Simental (16 points), UNC had the offensive production it needed to see out the victory.
Six straight points to begin the final frame with baskets from Simental and Sydney Stensgard had the Blue and Gold up 17 points.Q4 | Lean with it, rock with it @hjsimental !!
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 1, 2022
UNC - 49
NAU - 36#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/coZnfaxNtf
Now all Mattio's crew had to do was deliver on the defensive end. And deliver they did.
In 17 previous games this season, the Lumberjacks' lowest offensive output was 54 points. Monday evening, Northern Colorado held NAU to just 49.
For the game, Mattio's defense kept Northern Arizona to 29 percent shooting, 21 percent from three-point land and outrebounded them 40-34.
Dominant is the operative word as UNC closed out its fourth consecutive road game with a resounding, 61-49, victory.
Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado held the Lumberjacks to 49 points. It was the 10th time the Bears held an opponent under 60 points and the third time they've held an opponent below 50.
What They Said
Head Coach, Kristen Mattio
"Tonight, we collectively showed some grit and toughness as a team. If you are going to get road wins in the Big Sky, you have to have a level of mental and physical toughness and we did. The girls showed a ton resilience on the defensive end which allowed us to control tempo. We just played our 7th game in 14 days…and we aren't done yet! Every player impacted the game tonight to get this win! Micayla on the boards, Kurstyn in the paint and Hannah was aggressive as well. Sydney came in and gave us solid minutes! So many positives moments for this team. They just keep getting better!"
Game Notes
- Kurstyn Harden poured in a game-high 25 points and piled up a career-best 13 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. UNC is 3-2 when Harden records a double-double.
- Hannah Simental claimed 16 points. It's the 12th time this season she's reached double-figures and the fifth game in a row.
- Micayla Isenbart's 10 rebounds were a season-high for the senior.
- Sabine Lipe's five assists were a season-high for the UTEP transfer.
Northern Colorado's road trip finally comes to an end with a trip to Portland State on Thursday, February 3. 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.
Team Stats
UNC
NAU
FG%
.457
.290
3FG%
.375
.211
FT%
.696
.818
RB
40
34
TO
15
9
STL
2
10
Game Leaders
Pts
25
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
0
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
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Coach Mattio, London Gamble, and April Rummery-Lamb Post Game Press Conference vs Portland State
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