Fields' Fourth-Quarter Surge Highlights Bears' Effort in 64-53 Battle Against Denver

Friday, December 13

Denver, Colo.

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

7-3,0-0Big Sky

Denver

5-5,0-0Summit League

Northern Colo.

Denver

Photo by: Dean Popejoy

12/13/2024 9:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)NET Rankings, Explained Complete Net Rankings

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

DENVER – Northern Colorado (7-3, 0-0 BSC) saw its six-game win streak come to an end Friday night, falling to Denver 64-53. Despite a late push sparked by Gabi Fields and strong performances from Aniah Hall and Neenah George, the Bears were unable to overcome early offensive struggles.

TOP PERFORMERS
Gabi Fields led the Bears with 13 points, scoring nine in the fourth quarter to fuel a late rally. Aniah Hall added 13 points and grabbed five rebounds and two blocks, providing steady production on both ends. Freshman Neenah George came off the bench to contribute six points, one rebound, and one assist in 19 minutes of action, giving the Bears a much-needed spark.

GAME SUMMARY
The Bears got off to a slow start, committing nine turnovers in the first quarter. Denver capitalized with a 9-0 run, led by Laia Monclova and Jordan Jones. A shot-clock buzzer-beater from London Gamble late in the period trimmed the deficit to 13-10 heading into the second.

Denver came out firing to start the second quarter, draining two three-pointers in the opening minute to extend their lead. UNC continued to struggle offensively, making just two field goals in the period. Free-throw shooting kept the Bears in the game, with Hall, Ella Van Weelden, and Tatum West combining for nine points from the line. Hall's late jumper followed by another free throw brought the Bears within eight, 31-23, at halftime.

The Pioneers opened the second half with a 9-1 run, stretching their lead before Van Weelden knocked down a momentum-shifting three-pointer to spark a 9-0 UNC run. George added four points off the bench, helping the Bears cut the deficit to seven, but Monclova's eight points in the quarter pushed Denver's lead back to 13 at 50-37.

Northern Colorado showed fight in the fourth, using a 9-2 run led by Fields, who scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the period. The Bears clawed within eight points, 54-46, with under four minutes remaining. However, Denver responded with timely baskets to hold off UNC's rally and secure the 64-53 victory.

KEY STATS

Shooting: UNC shot 39.1% from the field and 11.1% from three-point range.
Defense: The Bears forced 14 Denver turnovers but were outscored 19-10 in points off turnovers.
Free Throws: Northern Colorado kept pace by shooting 72.7% from the free-throw line (16-of-22).
Rebounding: The Bears outrebounded the Pioneers 38-24, including 13 offensive boards.

DENVER LEADERS
Jordan Jones led all scorers with 22 points, pacing Denver while adding seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block. Laia Monclova added 15 points, including eight in the third quarter, to help the Pioneers maintain control. Emma Smith contributed nine points, all from beyond the arc, and added six rebounds.

UP NEXT
Northern Colorado will travel to Beaumont, Texas, to take on Lamar on Saturday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. The Bears will look to bounce back and improve their standing in the NET rankings, where they currently sit at 103, the lowest mark in the Mattio era. The NET rankings play a key role in postseason evaluation, factoring in team efficiency, quality of opponents, and game location.

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