Northern Colorado Rally Falls Short at Eastern Washington

Saturday, February 24

Cheney, Wash.

3 p.m. (MTN)

University of Northern Colorado

13-13,8-7Big Sky

Eastern Washington

23-5,13-2Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

2/24/2024 11:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

CHENEY, Wash. – Northern Colorado nearly overcame an 18-point deficit but fell short 68-63 at Eastern Washington Saturday in Big Sky Conference play at Reese Court on Saturday.

Sophomore Aniah Hall came off the bench and scored a game-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the floor. Hall also went 7-for-7 at the free-throw line and grabbed eight rebounds.

Senior Hannah Simental dropped 16 points and finished 6-for-12 from the field.

Sophomore Gabi Fields added 11 points and finished 5-for-5 at the charity stripe.

UNC leaders

UNC Leader in Points: Aniah Hall (21)
UNC Leader in Rebounds: Aniah Hall (8)
UNC Leader in Assists: Seneca Hackley (2)
UNC Leader in Steals: Aniah Hall (2)
UNC Leader in Blocks: Aniah Hall (2)

Inside the box score

UNC was sluggish in the first quarter and shot 15.38 percent (2-for-13) from the field. However, the Bears found their groove the remainder of the way and shot 45.5 percent in the second quarter, 46.2 percent in the third quarter, and 61.5 percent in the fourth quarter.

The Bears found success in front of the basket with 34 points in the paint and 33 rebounds. UNC also scored 24 bench points and 10 second-chance points.

UNC found success at the free-throw line and finished 18-for-21 (85.7 percent).

Team and series notes

Despite the setback, UNC still leads the all-time series 20-15.

EWU is 9-8 all-time in Cheney.

Over the past 10 games, the series is tied at 5-5.

With the regular season in its final stretch, the Bears are 8-7 in league play and are fifth in the standings. UNC is one game behind Montana State and one game ahead of Idaho State.

Individual notes

10 UNC student-athletes saw playing time.

Seneca Hackley scored seven points, Tatum West and Paisley Specht added three points apiece and Delaynie Byrne scored two points.

Up next

UNC returns home for their final home stand of the reason versus Weber State (Feb. 29), Idaho State (March 2), and Northern Arizona (March 4. 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.