Three Bears reach double figures, UNC unable to run down Hornets

Thursday, February 10

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

9-12,5-8Big Sky

Sacramento State

12-10,8-5Big Sky

Sacramento St.

Northern Colo.

2/10/2022 9:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado's bench outscored the Hornets 17-2 while Hannah Simental piled up 19 points but it wasn't enough to run down Sacramento State as the visitors walked away the victor, 65-55.

Everything was going the Bears' way to start the contest. Back-to-back dimes from Micayla Isenbart gave Simental the first four points of the game and quickly forced a timeout from the Hornets.

On the board ✅@hjsimental | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/BB1hPqrO5X
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 11, 2022

Out of the timeout, however, Sacramento State surged to a 12-point lead at the media timeout.

Slowly but surely, head coach Kristen Mattio's Bears clawed their way back, though.

Instant energy in the form of Jayce Gorzeman gave UNC the spark it needed in the second quarter. Not only to Gorzeman fly in to crash the board and gobble up a pair of steals but the New Mexico native also attacked the basket, leading to nine second-quarter to points.

Her intensity and effort lifted Northern Colorado to a halftime lead. And from there it was game on.

Simental dropped in three triples on her way to a 19-point night and Kurstyn Harden stacked up 12 points on 4-7 from the field.

Fighting through the contact@kurstyn_harden | #GetUpGreeley🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/GU50FWUMgL
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 11, 2022

As a team, UNC's offense shot the ball at 42.9 percent, outscored the Hornets 16-4 on fastbreaks and 12-6 in second-chance points.

Senior Jaiden Galloway even matched her career-high in assists with five.

With every possession critical down the stretch, Sacramento State conjured just enough plays to find a cushion and closed out the game at the free-throw line to win, 65-55.

Stat of the Game
Northern Colorado's bench outscored its opponent (17-2) for the 12^th time this season.

What They Said
Hannah Simental, Jayce Gorzeman and head coach Kristen Mattio

Game Notes

Hannah Simental finished with a team-high 19 points, two shy of her career-high.
Kurstyn Harden (12 points) and Jayce Gorzeman (11 points) rounded out the Bears in double figures.
Gorzeman has now reached double figures in two straight games.
UNC's fastbreak outscored its opponent for the sixth time this season.
Jaiden Galloway matched her career-high in assists with five.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado takes a quick road trip to Southern Utah on Monday, February 14 before returning home to host Idaho State on Thursday, February 17. 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.