Women's Basketball sends seniors off with momentum-building victory over Bobcats

Friday, March 4

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

13-15,9-11Big Sky

Montana State

19-12,14-6Big Sky

Montana St.

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Jam David

3/4/2022 9:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Head coach Kristen Mattio couldn't have drawn it up better herself.

On senior day, Northern Colorado nearly led wire-to-wire against the No. 2 team in the Big Sky conference, sending the eight senior Bears off with a victory, 71-63, over Montana State.

Friday night was ignited by Allie Downing. The Belmont Abbey transfer has been nothing short of electric since arriving on campus this past summer.

Downing hit four-straight threes to kickstart the contest, vaulting Northern Colorado into the early lead.

Montana State fought back swiftly and by the end of the first quarter owned a one-point lead.

Kurstyn Harden owned the second quarter. Shooting 3-5 from the floor and 2-2 from the charity stripe, the Lufkin, Texas native was dialed in and led Northern Colorado with eight points in the quarter to tie up the ballgame at the break.

In steps, Alexis Chapman.

The senior has been absolutely on fire lately and Friday night at Bank of Colorado Arena, she reached double figures for the third straight game. Twelve of Chapman's 14 points came in the third period, setting up Hannah Simental to close things out.

UNC's largest lead of the night was only 10 points, meaning Mattio's Bears had to close things out at the free-throw line.

With Hannah Simental on the roster, though, that's as close to a sure bet as they come.

All of the Pueblo, Colorado native's 10 fourth-quarter points came at the free-throw line.

As a team, Northern Colorado hit 16-18 in the closing moments to seal the 71-63 victory and take some real momentum into next week's Big Sky Tournament.

Stat of the Game
For the second consecutive game, the Bears recorded 15 assists. Its largest total since recording 19 against Portland State in early February.

What They Said
Alexis Chapman, Allie Downing and head coach Kristen Mattio

Game Notes

Hannah Simental led the way with 19 points while Kurstyn Harden (16), Allie Downing (14) and Alexis Chapman (14) also finished in double figures.
It's the third straight game Chapman has finished in double figures.
Northern Colorado finishes 9-4 at Bank of Colorado this season.
Hannah Simental is now 55-58 from the free-throw line this season in the fourth quarter or overtime.
UNC's defense held Montana State to just 6-29 from beyond the arc.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado draws Eastern Washington in round one of the Big Sky Tournament. The matchup is slated for 2:30 p.m. MT on Monday, March 7.

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.