Northern Colorado Upends Montana State and Extends Winning Streak in 3 in a Row

Saturday, January 13

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Montana State

1/13/2024 5:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

GREELEY, Colo. – Senior Delaynie Byrne scored a game-high 23 points and Northern Colorado pushed past Montana State 58-53 Saturday afternoon in Big Sky Conference action from the Bank of Colorado Arena.

Byrne's 23 points came on 8-for-12 shooting from the field, including a 4-for-7 from beyond the arc.

Senior Hannah Simental, the reigning Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, tallied 12 points and drained four three-pointers.

Tatum West added eight points and Gabi Fields helped with seven points.

The Bears have won three in a row, which is the second-longest winning streak under Coach Mattio.

COACH MATTIO

"Gritty and tough win by our squad today. The game went almost like how we thought it would be. Montana State is defensive-minded and gritty, and they are a tough, tough team. As a team, we held our ground. We had our moments with key defensive stops, a big score when we needed it, and Seneca's free throws in the final moments. We are starting to settle in offensively and our depth is starting to showcase itself."

UNC LEADERS

UNC Leader in Points: Delaynie Byrne (23)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Delaynie Byrne (09)
UNC Leader in Assists: Delaynie Byrne (5)
UNC Leader in Steals: Gabi Fields (7)
UNC Leader in Blocks: N/A

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Bears shot 41.7 percent (20-for-48) from the field.
UNC dominated the second quarter and held MSU to 22.2 percent (2-for-9) from the field.
The Blue & Gold played well in front of the basket with 36 rebounds and 18 points in the paint.
UNC forced MSU into 17 turnovers, which the Bears turned into 13 points.
The Bears, which entered the game as the second-best three-point shooting team in the conference, shot 50 percent (11-for-22) from beyond the arc.
UNC improved to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the Big Sky; MSU falls to 8-9 overall and 2-2 in league play.

UP NEXT

The Bears are back in action on Thursday at Sacramento State and Saturday at Portland State. The Bears return to the Bank of Colorado on Thursday, January 25 versus Eastern Washington, which is slated for a 6 p.m. start, and host Idaho on Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. 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.