Van Weelden and Hall Lead Northern Colorado Past North Dakota, 65-47

Saturday, December 7

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

7-2,0-0Big Sky

North Dakota

3-6,0-0Summit League

North Dakota

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Kassidy Schwartz, UNC Athletics

12/7/2024 7:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Coach Mattio & Ella Van Weelden Presser Final Game Book (PDF)

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado showcased a commanding performance on both ends of the court, defeating North Dakota 65-47 Saturday afternoon at the Bank of Colorado Arena. The victory highlighted the Bears' depth and defensive prowess, improving their record to 7-2 on the season.

TOP PERFORMERS
Ella Van Weelden led Northern Colorado with 12 points, including 4-of-7 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.

GAME SUMMARY
Northern Colorado set the tone early, using their defense to stifle North Dakota's offense. The Bears forced nine turnovers and held the Fighting Hawks to just 20% shooting from the field, taking a 15-7 lead after one. Ella Van Weelden drained a key three-pointer to highlight the Bears' balanced start.

The defensive intensity continued as Northern Colorado limited North Dakota to just 10 points in the period. While both teams struggled offensively, the Bears capitalized on key opportunities, extending their lead to 27-17 by halftime.

North Dakota produced their strongest push in the third quarter, outscoring Northern Colorado 22-18. Kiera Pemberton scored nine points during the run to cut the Bears' lead to six. However, timely baskets from Van Weelden and consistent play from the UNC bench helped maintain a 45-39 advantage heading into the final quarter.

The Bears dominated the final period, outscoring North Dakota 20-8 to secure the win. Diana Saleh provided key contributions with second-chance points, while Van Weelden and Moore ensured the Bears stayed ahead with efficient scoring and defense. UNC's depth shone as their bench helped seal the victory.

KEY STATS

Shooting: UNC shot 45.5% from the field and 47.1% from three-point range.
Defense: The Bears forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 20 points.
Bench Points: Northern Colorado's reserves contributed 32 points, showcasing their depth.
Paint Dominance: The Bears outscored North Dakota 34-24 in the paint.
Second-Chance Points: UNC capitalized on offensive rebounds with 13 second-chance points.

NORTH DAKOTA LEADERS
Kiera Pemberton led the Fighting Hawks with a game-high 13 points, shooting an impressive 6-of-7 from the field, while also pulling down four rebounds. Walker Demers provided solid support in the paint, contributing 12 points and three rebounds to keep North Dakota competitive during key stretches. Jocelyn Schiller added five points and dished out four assists.

UP NEXT
The Bears will travel to Denver on Friday, Dec. 13 for a matchup against in state rival Denver University 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).