Northern Colorado Dispatches Sac State to Gain Traction in Big Sky Standings

Saturday, February 17

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

12-12,7-6Big Sky

Sacramento State

5-20,4-10Big Sky

Sacramento St.

Northern Colo.

2/17/2024 9:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

GREELEY, Colo. – In a game that featured 17 lead changes, Northern Colorado showcased its grit and defeated Sacramento State 65-59 in Big Sky Conference action Saturday from the Bank of Colorado Arena.

Tied at 54-54 with 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore Aniah Hall's jumper provided the Bears a lead it would not surrender the rest of the way.

Senior Hannah Simental provided the spark for the UNC offense and finished with a game-high 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field. The Pueblo, Colorado native also drilled four 3-pointers and only turned the ball over once.

Simental's backcourt partner and sophomore Seneca Hackley added 13 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the floor, including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. Hackley also added six rebounds and handed out three assists.

Senior Delaynie Byrne nearly picked up the double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Hall came off the bench and scored 12 points and recorded four boards.

UNC leaders

UNC leader in points: Hannah Simental (20)
UNC leader in rebounds: Delaynie Byrne (9)
UNC leader in assists: Tatum West (4)
UNC leader in steals: Delaynie Byrne (2)
UNC leader in blocks: Aniah Hall (2)

Inside the box score

The Bears saved their best performance for the fourth quarter and shot 66.7 percent (6-for-9) from the field.
For the game, UNC converted 44.7 percent (21-for-47) of their attempts, while holding SSU to 37.5 percent (21-for-56).
UNC dominated in front of the basket and outrebounded SSU 38-28.
The Bears scored 26 points in the paint and 11 second-chance points.
UNC's bench outscored the SSU bench 14-6.
The Bears continue to improve at the free-throw line and finished 16-for-19 (84.2 percent).

Team and series notes

With the win, UNC now leads the all-time series 22-12 and is now 12-4 at the Bank of Colorado Arena.
UNC sweeps the regular season series and is 6-4 over the past 10 games versus SSU.
The Bears improve to 12-12 overall and 7-6 in the Big Sky, while Sac State falls to 5-20 and 4-10 in league play.

Individual notes

The Bears played a shortened lineup with seven earning playing time.
Tatum West scored four points.
Gabi Fields and Lilah Moore each scored two points.
Simental and Byrne each played 38 minutes.

Up next

The Bears embark on their final regular season road swing on Thursday and Saturday at Idaho and Eastern Washington. UNC returns home for their final home stand of the reason versus Weber State (Feb. 29), Idaho State (March 2), and Northern Arizona. 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.