Northern Colorado Hosts Denver on Saturday to Conclude Big Sky - Summit League Challenge - University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Calendar

Nov 4

6 p.m. MST

Women's Basketball

vs Northern New Mexico College

Nov 8

2 p.m. MT

Women's Basketball

vs Lamar

Nov 11

6 p.m. MT

Women's Basketball

vs Bethany College (Kan.)

Nov 14

6 p.m. MT

Women's Basketball

vs Denver

Nov 21

TBD

Women's Basketball

vs Campbell University

Nov 22

TBD

Women's Basketball

at DePaul University

Nov 25

7 p.m. | 6 p.m. MST

Women's Basketball

at Arizona

Nov 28

6 p.m. MT

Women's Basketball

vs Chadron State

Dec 3

6 p.m. MT

Women's Basketball

vs Kansas City

Northern Colorado vs. Denver
Greeley, Colo. / Bank of Colorado Arena
Saturday, Jan. 6 – 2 p.m. / ESPN +

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns home after a five-game road swing and competes in its final game of the Big Sky – Summit League Challenge versus in-state rival Denver on Saturday, Jan. 6. The opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Bank of Colorado Arena.

UNC and DU

This is the 13^th time the two programs will meet, and the Bears lead the series 8-4. UNC has won the two previous games and is 7-3 over the past 10 games. The Bears are 4-1 all-time at home versus the Pioneers, and 4-3 in Denver.

Last time versus DU (11/11/23 - @ Denver)

Delaynie Byrne scored 22 points, Hannah Simental dropped 21 points and the Bears defeated the Pioneers 77-68. The Bears shot 50.9 percent (27-for-53) from the field and a dazzling 44.4 percent (8-for-18) from beyond the arc.

The Bears dominated in front of the basket with 36 points in the paint, along with 31 rebounds. Byrne finished with a team-high six rebounds and Gabi Fields added five boards. Fields also handed out a team-high six assists.

Offensive Output

The Bears rank in the top five in team scoring in the Big Sky with an average of 70.7 points per game. UNC has played 11 total games, which is the least number of games played among Big Sky teams, and scored 778 points to rank seventh in the league. For comparison, Eastern Washington has played 14 games, and Northern Arizona and Montana State have each played 13 games. The three programs rank in the top five total points scored.

High Percentage

The Bears are third in the Big Sky in team field goal percentage and converting 43.6 percent (275-for-631) of their shot attempts. UNC is dangerous from 3-point range and is converting 35.7 percent (79-for-221) of its attempts. Byrne and Simental are two key reasons why the Bears have an efficient offense. Byrne is converting 47.0 percent (55-for-117) of her attempts, which is fourth in the conference. Simental is connecting on 46.2 percent (55-for-119) of her attempts, which is fifth in the league. Byrne and Simental are efficient from beyond the arc. Byrne is shooting 41.8 percent (23-for-55) from beyond the arc, while Simental is converting 41.1 percent (20-for-73) from 3-point range.

Big Time Scorers

Byrne and Simental both rank in the top five in points per game in the Big Sky. Byrne is averaging 15.2 points per game, which is good for third in the conference, while Simental is right behind with 14.5 points per game, which ranks fourth in the conference.

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.