Northern Colorado Hosts Portland State and Sac State in Key Big Sky Games

Thursday, February 8

Bozeman, Mont.

7 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Montana State

2/14/2024 10:12:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Dennis Driscoll, UNC Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

Northern Colorado vs. Portland State
Greeley, Colo.
Thursday, Feb. 15 – 6 p.m. / ESPN +

Northern Colorado vs. Sacramento State
Greeley, Colo.
Saturday, Feb. 17 – 2 p.m. / ESPN +

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado returns to the friendly confines of the Bank of Colorado Arena with a pair of key Big Sky Conference games. The Bears host Portland State on Thursday at 6 p.m. for the annual Pink Out and Play4Kay game and Sacramento State on Saturday at 2 p.m. for Faith and Family Day.

UNC and PSU

This is the 33^rd time UNC and PSU will meet on the hardwood, and the Bears lead the all-time series 23-9. UNC is dominant at home with a 13-1 record at BOCA. Over the past 10 games, UNC is 8-2. The longest UNC winning streak in the series was seven games, which was from 2019-2023.

Last time versus PSU (1-20-2024 at Portland)

Northern Colorado rolled to a 71-54 win over Portland State. Aniah Hall came off the bench and scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the double-double. Delaynie Byrne added 17 points and handed out four assists, while Seneca Hackley helped with 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field.

UNC and SSU

This is the 34^th time UNC and PSU will meet on the hardwood, and the Bears lead the all-time series 21-12. The Bears enjoy an 11-4 record at BOCA. Over the past 10 games, UNC is 6-4. The longest UNC winning streak in the series was 10 games, which was from 2016 to 2021.

Last time versus SSU (1-18-2024 at Sacramento)

Northern Colorado crushed Sacramento State 72-59. Delaynie Byrne scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Byrne finished 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. Aniah Hall added 13 points and seven rebounds. Hannah Simental finished with 11 points and drilled three 3-pointers.

Big Sky Standings

With the Big Sky Conference tournament less than a month away, wins versus PSU and SSU would help with seeding. The Bears are 5-6 in the league and behind 6-6 Idaho State. A pair of wins would put the Bears within striking distance of Montana and Montana State (both 8-4 in conference play).

From beyond the arc

The Bears are the second-best 3-point shooting team in the conference, converting 37.3 percent (153-for-410) from the field. A major reason why is the play of Hannah Simental and Delaynie Byrne. Simental is shooting 41.7 percent (53-for-127) from 3-point range, which is second in the conference. Byrne is 40 percent (44-for-110) from beyond the arc, which is third in the conference.