Mattio Earns 200th Career Win as Northern Colorado Upsets Undefeated BYU in Overtime

Saturday, November 23

Provo, Utah

3 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

3-2,0-0Big Sky

BYU

5-1,0-0Big 12

OT 1

Northern Colo.

BYU

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

11/23/2024 5:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Fast Break Club Give For the W Final Game Book (PDF)

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

PROVO, Utah – Head Coach Kristen Mattio reached a career milestone as Northern Colorado handed BYU its first loss of the season, defeating the Cougars 67-60 in overtime on Saturday night at the Marriott Center. The win was Mattio's 200th as a head coach and improved the Bears to 3-2 on the season, while BYU fell to 5-1.

Top Performers

Gabi Fields led Northern Colorado with 17 points, six assists and three rebounds, while Tatum West contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Silvia Nativi added 10 points, including a critical 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, along with two assists. Ella Van Weelden came off the bench to score six points, hitting a clutch 3-pointer in overtime.

Game Recap

Northern Colorado struggled early, trailing 17-9 after the first quarter. BYU's Emma Calvert and Amari Whiting combined for early baskets to build a double-digit lead. Ella Van Weelden gave the Bears a spark with a 3-pointer at the 1:15 mark, and Tatum West added a layup at the buzzer to close the quarter.

The Bears found their rhythm in the second quarter, using a 7-0 run to chip away at the deficit. Gabi Fields hit a jumper with 5:15 left to bring UNC within two, 21-19. Julia Riley gave Northern Colorado its first lead with a 3-pointer at the 1:10 mark, and the Bears carried a 34-30 lead into halftime.

BYU responded in the third quarter with an 11-0 run fueled by Calvert and Delaney Gibb. Gibb's 3-pointer with 6:59 remaining put the Cougars ahead 39-38, and they extended their lead to 47-41 heading into the fourth quarter.

Northern Colorado regrouped in the fourth. With 6:53 left, Aniah Hall scored a layup off a pass from Fields to pull the Bears within two at 49-47. Silvia Nativi stepped up late, hitting a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left to give Northern Colorado a 56-55 lead. BYU's Calvert tied the game with a jumper in the final seconds, forcing overtime.

In the extra period, the Bears took control. Ella Van Weelden knocked down a 3-pointer at the 3:18 mark to put Northern Colorado ahead 61-58. The Bears' defense held BYU to just four points in overtime, and Silvia Nativi sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds.

BYU Leaders

Emma Calvert finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for BYU, while Amari Whiting added 14 points and six assists. The Cougars struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 12.5% (3 of 24).

Key Stats

Rebounding: Northern Colorado outrebounded BYU 36-28, with West pulling down 14 boards.
Turnovers: The Bears scored 14 points off BYU's 18 turnovers.
Overtime Edge: Northern Colorado outscored BYU 11-4 in the extra frame.

Up Next

Northern Colorado returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 29, hosting Central Christian College (Kan.) for First Responders Appreciation Night with tipoff set for 6 p.m. The Bears will also host Tabor College (Kan.) on Nov. 30 with tipoff at 6 p.m.

You can keep the momentum of this exciting win going by making a gift to the Fast Break Club. Your generosity directly contributes to the continued success of our student-athletes both on and off the court. Support UNC Women's Basketball today: https://www.give2unc.org/fastbreakclub.

For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the women's basketball team X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB).

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