Defense leads the way as Bears cruise by Eagles in round 1

Monday, March 7

Boise, Idaho

2:30 p.m. MT

University of Northern Colorado

14-15,9-11Big Sky

Eastern Washington University

9-21,7-13Big Sky

Eastern Wash.

Northern Colo.

3/7/2022 5:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

BOISE, Idaho – Never in doubt.

Northern Colorado led wire-to-wire as the Bears advanced to the second round of the Big Sky Tournament with a 64-45 victory over Eastern Washington.

Alexis Chapman picked up right where she's left off over the last three games. The Garland, Texas native scored four of the first eight UNC points.

Sophomore standout Hannah Simental also began Monday with an efficient effort, scoring five points in the first quarter as the Bears took the 15-11 lead after one.

An 8-0 run in the second quarter gave Northern Colorado the offensive burst it was looking for.

Simental and fellow Sharpshooter Allie Downing knocked down open looks, and Harden's five points and seven first-half rebounds pushed UNC's lead to double digits.

At the break, the Bears were shooting north of 54 percent from the floor, including a fiery 5-6 from downtown Boise, while head coach Kristen Mattio's defense was keeping the Eagles to just 26 and 2-13 from distance.

While Northern Colorado didn't blow anyone away on the offensive end of the court, Mattio's defense never faltered, holding Eastern Washington to 25 percent shooting to make sure they didn't gain any ground.

The Bears' effort on the glass, though, was unequaled. Led by Harden, who pulled down a game-high 13, Northern Colorado piled up 48 rebounds, including 14 offensive boards that led to 14 second-chance points.

Meanwhile, UNC's gritty graduate in Chapman kept plugging away. She'd finish with 11 points on the afternoon and one of four Bears to reach double figures.

The fourth quarter, or at least the opening half of it, belonged to Allie Downing. One of eight seniors on the roster, Downing scored eight of her team-high 14 points in the final quarter in just six minutes of play.

Northern Colorado was 11-2 when leading after the third quarter and with Downing and the Bears rolling, they made sure to make it 12-2.

Outscoring the Eagles 18-12 in the final 10 minutes, UNC sealed its first-round victory, 64-45, ensuring a date with the Bengals on Tuesday afternoon.

Stat of the Game
UNC outrebounded Eastern Washington 48-27, the second-most rebounds the Bears have collected this season.

What They Said
Allie Downing, Kurstyn Harden and head coach Kristen Mattio

Game Notes

Kurstyn Harden (13 points, 13 rebounds) notched her ninth double-double of the season.
Allie Downing (14), Hannah Simental (11) and Alexis Chapman (11) were the other Bears to reach double figures.
Chapman has scored in double figures in four straight games.
UNC improves to 12-4 when leading after the third quarter.
The Bears held its opponent under 60 for the 12^th time. Northern Colorado is 12-2 in those games.
All of Northern Colorado's 14 wins have come when outrebounding its opponent.

What's Ahead
Survive and advance. UNC earns the right to play Idaho State on Tuesday in the second round. The game is slated for Noon MT.

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.