Northern Colorado Hosts Montana and Montana in Big Sky Conference Games

Thursday, January 11

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Montana

Buy Tickets

1/10/2024 2:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Dennis Driscoll, UNC Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

Northern Colorado vs. Montana
Greeley, Colo. / Bank of Colorado Arena
Thursday, Jan. 11 – 6 p.m. / ESPN +

Northern Colorado vs. Montana State
Greeley, Colo./ Bank of Colorado Arena
Saturday, Jan. 13 – 2 p.m. / ESPN +

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns to Big Sky Conference play and hosts Montana on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Montana State on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both contests are available on ESPN +.

UNC and Montana

This marks the 36^th time UNC and UM will meet on the court, and the Grizzlies lead the series 20-15. UM has won two in a row in the series, with the Bears' last win coming on March 2, 2022, which was a 72-64 triumph in Greeley.

Over the past 10 games, the series is evenly split down the middle at 5-5. UNC is 8-10 all-time at home, and 6-10 all-time on the road.

Between 2017 and 2020, the Bears won seven in a row.

Last time out vs Montana (Feb. 2, 2023)

UM defeated UNC 78-61.

Hannah Simental scored 27 points and converted five three-pointers. Delaynie Byrne added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Gabi Fields helped with 12 points.

UNC and Montana State

The Bears and the Bobcats will tussle for the 33^rd time on Saturday, with the series being knotted at 16-16. The Bears have dropped two in a row, and the Bears' last win was a 71-53 win in Greeley during the 2021-22 season. Over the past 10 games, MSU is 7-3. The Bears own a 10-6 series advantage at home, and trail 6-10 in games played at Bozeman.

Last time out vs Montana State (Feb. 4, 2023)

MSU defeated UNC 80-60. Byrne scored a team-high 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Simental added 15 points and was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line.

Balanced Basketball

Northern Colorado ranks fourth in the Big Sky in offense with 69.8 points per game and fifth in the league in defense, allowing an average of 65.1 points per game.

High Percentage

The Bears are third in the Big Sky in team field goal percentage and converting 44.7 percent (297-for-689) of their shot attempts. UNC is dangerous from 3-point range and is converting 36.7 percent (84-for-232) of its attempts. Byrne and Simental are two key reasons why the Bears have an efficient offense. Simental is connecting on 46.7 percent (60-for-129) of her attempts, which is fourth in the league. Byrne is shooting 46.5 percent (60-for-129) from the field, which is fifth in the conference. Byrne and Simental are efficient from beyond the arc. Simental is converting 41.8 percent (33-for-79) from 3-point range, which ranks second in the conference.

Big Time Scorers

Simental averages 15.7 points per game, which is third in the conference, and Byrne is averaging 15.1 points per game, which is fourth in the league.

Simental Earns Big Sky Conference Player of the Week

In Big Sky – Summit League challenge games versus Oral Roberts and Denver, Simental averaged 25 points per game, shooting 50 percent from the field and 7-for-16 from the three-point arc. The senior also logged five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Simental hit the game-winning three-pointer to send the Bears past Denver with two seconds remaining.

Tickets on Sale

The Bears still have a full home slate of Big Sky hoops to play! To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.