Gamble’s Career-High Night Leads Bears Past Bulldogs in Season Opener

Monday, November 4

Greeley, Colo.

5:30 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

1-0,0-0Big Sky

Concordia (Neb.)

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Concordia (NE)

Northern Colo.

11/4/2024 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book Season Stats Coach Mattio & London Gamble Presser

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Guard London Gamble recorded a career high 18 points and led two players to double digit figures as the Bears defeat Concordia (Neb.) 66-64.

The junior transfer came off the bench late in the first quarter and made immediate impact, forcing two turnovers and scoring on one to tie the game 15-15. Gamble would prove to be an offensive force in her 21 minutes of playing time, draining three 3-pointers on .600 shooting and .467 from the field. Gamble slammed the door shut on the Bulldogs by drawing a foul and making a free throw with seven seconds left in the game.

Junior forward Aniah Hall also showed up big for the Bears, pacing the defensive end with seven rebounds while also adding 13 points on .400 shooting. Hall stayed steady behind the line, making five-of-seven free throws.

Gabi Fields, a junior guard, added 10 points by going three-of-six from the field and four-of-four from behind the line. Fields also forced three Bulldog turnovers, scoring off two.

Concordia (Neb.) had two players scoring 15-plus, with sophomore standout Raelyn Kelty leading the way with 21 points and seven boards. Junior guard Abby Kresier added 18 points and six rebounds.

The Bears struck first to start the game with two made free throws and back-to-back 3-pointers from Ella Van Weelden before the Bulldogs answered back with an 11 point scoring run to take a three point advantage, 11-8, with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter. CU would stay ahead until a field goal made off of a turnover forced by Gamble tied the game at 15 with 51 seconds left. The Bulldogs answered back with a made free throw by Kendal Brigham, but a Neenah George layup gave the Bears a one point advantage heading in to the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Bears extended their lead to as much as eight points, thanks to a strong defensive effort from junior forward Lilah Moore, who recorded three steals, and a crucial three-pointer by Gamble with 8:05 remaining. Concordia kept the game close with Kreiser's accurate shooting, adding nine of her 18 points in the second quarter alone.

Entering the third quarter, Northern Colorado's offense gained momentum, led by Gamble's consistency from beyond the arc and Neenah George's fast breaks. This allowed the Bears to pull away, creating an 11 point gap at one point. The Bulldogs fought back, with Kelty contributing both inside and outside the paint, narrowing the deficit to seven points by the end of the quarter.

In a tight fourth quarter, UNC held off a late push from Concordia to secure a 66-64 win. Gamble's 3-pointer early in the quarter gave the Bears an eight-point cushion, but Kelty and Kreiser kept the Bulldogs close with timely scores. With seven seconds left, Gamble sealed the victory by drawing a foul and making a free throw, helping Northern Colorado edge out their season opener.

Up Next
The Bears head south to Boulder for their first away game of the season at CU Events Center against Colorado on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m.

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).