PREVIEW: Northern Colorado Women’s Basketball Prepares to Host Northern Arizona on Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, January 24

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

Northern Arizona

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Ally McCutchen | UNC Athletics

1/22/2026 9:31:00 AM | Women's Basketball

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball returns to Bank of Colorado Arena on Saturday, January 24, welcoming Northern Arizona for Faith and Family Day in a Big Sky Conference match up. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., as the Bears aim to protect their home court and bounce back in league play.

Northern Colorado enters the contest coming off a competitive battle against Montana State on Monday night, falling 71–57. Despite the setback, the Bears showed grit and determination throughout the game. Senior forward Aniah Hall delivered a standout performance, recording her second double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 assists, further solidifying her role as a leader and primary playmaker for UNC.

TATUM WEST ANCHORS THE GLASS
Tatum West continues to emerge as one of Northern Colorado's most impactful players, making her presence felt on both ends of the floor. Known for her relentless energy and rebounding prowess, West has been a key factor in the Bears success this season.

West currently ranks 29th nationally among all Division I players in rebounding, underscoring her importance as a consistent and dependable contributor in the paint.

ANIAH HALL CLOSING IN ON 1,000 CAREER POINTS
Hall remains one of the Bears most versatile offensive weapons and is approaching a major career milestone. With 969 career points, the senior needs just 31 more to join the exclusive 1,000-point club.

Hall's ability to score efficiently around the rim, facilitate for teammates, and impact the game in multiple ways makes her a central piece of Northern Colorado's offensive attack.

BEARS BOAST NATIONAL DEPTH
Through 20 games, Northern Colorado has established itself as one of the deepest teams in the nation. The Bears rank third nationally among Division I programs in bench points per game, averaging 33.8 points off the bench and totaling 677 bench points on the season.

That depth has allowed UNC to maintain a high level of efficiency and energy throughout games and for all 40 minutes of the game.

ALL TIME SERIES AGAINST NORTHERN ARIZONA
Overall Series: Northern Colorado leads 20–16 (since 2008)
Last Meeting: NAU 80, UNC 70 (March 1, 2025)
Current Streak: Northern Arizona has won seven straight meetings (since 2023)

SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS
Northern Arizona heads to Greeley with an overall record of 7–13 and a 3–4 mark in conference play. The Lumberjacks are coming off a hard-fought road loss at Montana, falling 76–72 in a game that remained tight down to the final minutes.

Offensively, NAU is averaging 71.7 points per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field. The Lumberjacks are led by guard Naomi White, who is the leading scorer in the conference. White is averaging 22.4 points per game, shooting 42.2 percent overall and an impressive 40.5 percent from three-point range, making her a constant threat from anywhere on the floor.

Northern Arizona has had the upper hand in recent history, carrying a seven-game winning streak over the Bears into the contest.

The game will be available to watch live on ESPN+, with live stats and real-time updates provided through the team's official social media platforms.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
Fans can stay up to date with Northern Colorado women's basketball by visiting uncbears.com and following the team on social media: X (formerly Twitter) @UNC_BearsWBB, Instagram @UNC_BearsWBB, and Facebook /UNCBearsWBB.