Late Push Sends Bears Past Eastern Washington in Cheney, 71–62

Saturday, January 31

Cheney, Wash.

3 p.m. MST | 2 p.m. PDT

University of Northern Colorado

16-7,7-3Big Sky

Eastern Washington

11-11,4-5Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Eastern Wash.

PC: Braeden Harlow

1/31/2026 5:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

CHENEY, Wash. - Northern Colorado women's basketball closed the game on a late run to defeat Eastern Washington, 71–62, Saturday afternoon at Reese Court, improving to 16-7 overall and 7-3 in Big Sky play.

The Bears were paced by Tatum West, who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Heather Baymon added 15 points and five rebounds off the bench. Neenah George and Gabi Fields each scored 12 points, and Julia Riley knocked down three triples for nine points.

After Eastern Washington briefly took a three-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, Baymon delivered the defining stretch of the game.

With UNC trailing 57–56, Baymon hit a pull-up jumper at the 3:16 mark to stop the Eagles momentum. Just 34 seconds later, she stepped into a transition three-pointer at 2:42 to put the Bears back in front, 59–57. On the very next possession, Baymon attacked the lane and converted another mid-paint jumper at 2:09, extending the lead to four.

Baymon closed the game at the free-throw line as well, calmly knocking down four late free throws in the final 32 seconds to help seal the nine-point road victory.

The late offensive surge was matched by timely defense on the other end. Baymon came up with a steal at 3:50 to halt an Eastern Washington possession during a one-point game, setting up her go-ahead basket moments later.

From there, the Bears locked in defensively behind Aniah Hall, who recorded four blocks and anchored a sequence of critical stops down the stretch. Hall rejected a driving layup at 2:23, swatted a three-point attempt at 1:36, and turned away another shot in the paint with 17 seconds remaining, preventing the Eagles from mounting a final push.

Northern Colorado also held Eastern Washington to just 37.5 percent shooting in the fourth quarter and forced key turnovers during the closing run.

The Bears led 48–43 entering the final period and outscored the Eagles 23–19 in the fourth, finishing the afternoon shooting 83.3 percent from the free-throw line while scoring 32 points in the paint.

UP NEXT: The Bears return home to Bank of Colorado Arena for a two-game home stand, beginning with Weber State on Wednesday, February 5, followed by Idaho State on Saturday, February 7.

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