Bears Face Lamar University in Final Non-Conference Matchup Before Big Sky Play

GREELEY, Colo. - The Bears (7-3. 0-0 BSC) will make the trip to Beaumont, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 21, to take on Lamar University (5-4, 1-0 Southland Conference). Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m. in the team's final non-conference game before starting league play in the New Year.

LIVE COVERAGE
A live stream will be available for the game provided by the Lamar University Athletic Communications department through ESPN+. Live stats will also be provided for fans to stay up to date, provided by the LU Athletic Communications department.

NET RANKINGS
The Bears are currently ranked 118th in the NET rankings, which are used for NCAA tournament selection. These rankings focus on team performance, factoring in wins over quality opponents and efficiency adjusted for game location and strength of competition. While the rankings are still stabilizing as more games are played, they provide an important early snapshot of a team's position heading into the selection process.

THE SERIES
This will be the third time the two teams have played with the series starting in 2006 and the first matchup in the Mattio Era. The Bears are 1-1 against the Big Red.
W, 71-43 - Greeley, 2006
L, 71-72 (OT) - Beaumont, 2006

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
The Cardinals are 5-4 this season after being selected to finish first in the Southland Conference preseason polls. LU was enjoying a three game win streak until losing to Big 12 in-state foe Texas Tech in Lubbock on Tuesday. The Cardinals suffered a 54-56 heartbreaking loss against SMU in November, and are 4-2 against Texas teams.

Lamar is led by graduate guard Sabria Dean and senior forward/center Akasha Davis. Both are averaging over 12 points per game, while Davis is also leading the team in rebounds and blocks.

Davis was named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Watch List and is the first Cardinal to be recognized for this award since its inception in 2020.

The Big Red held the 21 spot in the College Insider Mid-Major rankings after beating Texas A&M-San Antonio in early November, but have not be in the top-25 since.

Aqua Franklin was named the 14th head coach of Lamar University's women's basketball program on May 1, 2019, and has since compiled an 83-71 record. In her tenure, she led the Cardinals to their first Southland Conference regular season title in five years during the 2023-24 season, with a career-best 24 wins. Franklin has steadily built the program, earning conference coach of the year honors and guiding several players to all-conference recognition.

THE MATTIO ERA
Head Coach Kristen Mattio enters her fourth season at the helm of Bears Women's Basketball. Under Mattio, the Bears are 50-53 since she took over the program in 2020. Mattio surpassed the 200th career victory mark in the overtime upset win against Big 12 opponent BYU on Nov. 23, 2024. Mattio is the first head coach to reach this mark at UNC in the Division I era. Mattio has led the Bears to top-25 rankings in the nation in the field goal percentage, forced turnovers, 3PT% (defense), and steals per game categories for the first time in program history. Mattio is currently seventh in program wins with 50 and is 9 wins away from claiming sixth.

LAST TIME OUT
The Bears won their sixth game in a row on Saturday in front of a home crowd. Ella Van Weelden led Northern Colorado with 12 points, including four-of-seven shooting from three-point range, while adding three rebounds and two assists. Aniah Hall was a force inside, contributing 12 points and six rebounds as she controlled the paint throughout the game. Off the bench, Diana Saleh made a notable impact with six points and two offensive rebounds, providing energy when the Bears needed it most. Lilah Moore chipped in eight points, four steals, and two rebounds, showcasing her two-way play and ability to make key plays on defense.

ON THIS DAY, DEC. 21
Saturday's game marks the twelth time the Bears have played on this date and the third in the Mattio Era. UNC is 5-6 all time on Dec. 21 and 0-2 under Mattio.

2023, at Colorado - L,56-78
2022, at Samford - L, 66-69
2018, at BYU - L, 50-70
2015, at Grand Canyon - L, 59-69
2013, North Dakota - L, 65-68

THE BIG SKY
The 2024-25 Big Sky Conference basketball schedule will feature 10 teams in a mirror schedule format. Each team will play each other twice: once at home, and once away.

The BSC Basketball Championships will feature all teams in the conference with seeding based on the 18 conference games. The championships will take place March 8-9-10-11-12, 2025, at the Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho. The tournament winners will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship.

2023-24 REVIEW
The Bears finished the season with a trip to the Women's National Invitational Tournament where they lost in the first round to the University of Texas at San Antonio. Delaynie Byrne dropped 14 points on 5-for-16 shooting from the floor and hauled seven rebounds. Aniah Hall paced the team in blocks with two and added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists. They finished with a 15-16 overall record and 5th in the BSC.

UP NEXT
The Bears will have a 12 day hiatus over the holidays before they kick of BSC play at Weber State in Ogden, Utah on Jan. 2 with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action online and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB).

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. TicketSmarter is the official resale marketplace of UNC athletics.

About TicketSmarter.com
TicketSmarter® is a ticket resale marketplace and is not affiliated with Ticketmaster® or Live Nation®. TicketSmarter® is an online ticket marketplace and a proud member of the Digital Ally Companies (NASDAQ: DGLY). TicketSmarter® offers tickets to more than 125,000 live events ranging from concerts to sports and theatre shows.

TicketSmarter® is a primary and secondary ticketing solution for events and high-profile venues across North America including more than 300 professional sports teams and collegiate athletic departments. TicketSmarter® is also dedicated to giving back through contributions to charitable organizations.

100% Ticket Guarantee
All purchases are backed with a TicketSmarter® ticket guarantee. Have peace of mind knowing when you make your purchase for any sporting event, concert or theatre show that your tickets will be valid. You will receive a 100% refund if the event is canceled and not rescheduled. You will also receive a 100% refund if your order was accepted but the tickets were not delivered by the seller or shipped in time for the event. TicketSmarter® also provides a worry-free guarantee that your tickets will be valid upon entry. If they are not valid, we will provide you with a refund.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Delaynie Byrne

Aniah Hall

Lilah Moore

Diana Saleh

Ella Van Weelden

Sponsors

Upcoming Events

University of Northern Colorado Athletics