Northern Colorado Crushes Idaho in Statement Win

Thursday, February 22

Moscow, Idaho

6 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

13-12,8-6Big Sky

Idaho

13-13,6-8Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Idaho

2/22/2024 10:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

GREELEY, Colo. – Sophomore Seneca Hackley converted a pair of free throws at 4:53 in the first quarter to break a 4-4 tie and the Bears would not surrender the lead the rest of the way. Northern Colorado rolled past Idaho 57-38 in Big Sky Conference play.

Four student-athletes scored in double digits, with Hackley finishing with a team-high 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field.

Sophomore Aniah Hall, who has a reputation for putting up significant numbers off the bench, did just that. Hall scored 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field.

True freshman Tatum West had 11 points and grabbed six rebounds, while sophomore Gabi Fields scored 10 points.

Despite being held to just two points; senior Delaynie Byrne was a fixture in front of the basket and finished with a game-high 13 rebounds.

UNC leaders

UNC Leader in Points: Seneca Hackley (15)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Delaynie Byrne (13)
UNC Leader in Assists: Gabi Fields (3)
UNC Leader in Steals: Gabi Fields (4)
UNC Leader in Blocks: Seneca Hackley, Delaynie Byrne, Hannah Simental, Aniah Hall, Tena Ikidi (1)

Inside the box score

The last time these two teams met, the Bears started slow and were left playing catch-up for the remainder of the game. The Blue and Gold turned the page and shot 53.85 percent (7-for-13) in the first quarter and 50 percent (8-for-16) in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 35-21 lead.

For the game, the Bears shot 48.1 percent (25-for-52) from the field, while holding the Vandals to just 26 percent (13-for-50) from the floor.

Idaho turned the ball over 17 times, and UNC turned the miscues into 19 points.

UNC dominated in the paint with 46 points and 28 rebounds. Idaho had just 18 points and 22 rebounds.

The Bears found success in their fast-break offense with 16 points.

Team and series notes

UNC improves to 10-9 all-time in the series.

UNC is 13-12 overall and 8-6 in league play, while Idaho falls to 13-13 and 6-8 in the conference.

The Bears are 5-3 all-time in Moscow.

UNC broke a two-game losing streak.

The game was relatively clean with only 23 combined fouls; UNC finished 6-for-8 at the free-throw line, and Idaho was 8-for-9.

UNC, which is a prolific three-point shooting team, changed its offense scheme and attempted just eight three-pointers.

Individual notes

10 UNC student-athletes earned playing time.

Byrne, Hannah Simental, Lilah Moore, and Tena Ikidi each scored two points.

Up next

The Bears are at Eastern Washington on Saturday. 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.