Harden notches another double-double, UNC drops road contest to EWU

Thursday, February 24

Cheney, Wash.

7 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

11-14,7-10Big Sky

Eastern Washington

8-18,6-11Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

Photo by: Bridget Mayfield

2/24/2022 10:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

CHENEY, Wash. – Three different Bears scored in double figures and UNC led for more than 25 minutes but couldn't hit the shots it needed to in the final moments, falling to Eastern Washington, 62-56.

Allie Downing came to Cheney on a mission. The Belmont Abbey transfer ignited the Northern Colorado offense in the early going with a pair of threes. Downing would eventually end the evening 4-6 from downtown.

Q2 | Downing!! SPLASH!!

UNC - 28
EWU - 25#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/tuGhusu5xc
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 25, 2022

A 7-0 run from the Eagles flipped the momentum but not before UNC tied things up going into the second quarter.

Head coach Kristen Mattio's crew spread the wealth in the second stanza. Five points from Downing and five from Hannah Simental produced one of the Bears' best offensive quarters, shooting 6-10 from the floor.

With the likes of Micayla Isenbart and Kurstyn Harden attacking the basket, UNC's 4-5 effort from the free-throw line proved to be the difference before the break.

The Bears and Eagles traded blows in the third quarter as UNC worked hard to keep its advantage intact in Cheney.

Simental, who was 2-3 from deep in the quarter, worked alongside Harden to keep pressing the issue. Harden managed six points in the period, including a perfect 2-2 from the free-throw line.

Q3 | YOU CAN'T GUARD HANNAH SIMENTALL!!

UNC - 47
EWU - 45#GetUpGreeley 🐻🏀 pic.twitter.com/zIDr3rUFLX
— UNC Bears WBB (@UNC_BearsWBB) February 25, 2022

Eastern Washing unleashed an 8-1 run midway through the fourth take the lead and didn't look back.

While UNC's defense held the Eagles to just 5-15 in the quarter, Northern Colorado couldn't capitalize to retake the lead.

Ultimately, EWU closed out the game at the free-throw line and secured the victory 62-56.

Stat of the Game
Kurstyn Harden secured her eighth double-double of the season (15 points, 11 rebounds) and first since February 7, against Portland State.

Game Notes

Hannah Simental (15), Kurstyn Harden (15) and Allie Downing (14) all reached double figures on the evening.
Harden notched her eighth double-double of the season.
Simental's four rebounds matched a season-high
Micayla Isenbart's four assists matched a season-high.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado heads over to Moscow for a matchup with Idaho on Saturday, February 26. The Bears will be back in Greeley on March 2, when they take on Montana. 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.