PREVIEW: UNC Hosts Eastern Washington for Senior Night, Prepares for Road Test Against Vandals

Thursday, February 26

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

Eastern Washington

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Jesus Ayala | UNC Athletics

2/24/2026 1:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball enters the final stretch of the regular season this week, starting Thursday, February 26, as the Bears welcome Eastern Washington to town. The game marks UNC's final home appearance of the season and will double as Senior Night, celebrating the program's graduate student-athletes. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT.

Following Thursday's match up, the Bears hit the road traveling to Moscow, Idaho to take on the Vandals on Saturday, February 28. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MT.

LAST TIMEOUT: Northern Colorado turned in a commanding performance Saturday, rolling past Northern Arizona 81–53 at Findlay Toyota Court. The Bears established control early with a 21–12 first-quarter lead and stretched the advantage to 37–19 by halftime after limiting the Lumberjacks to just seven points in the second quarter. UNC shot 49.2 percent from the floor, dominated the paint with 48 points, and forced 23 turnovers that translated into 33 points. Heather Baymon paced the team with 15 points, while Tatum West secured her seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Neenah George and Aniah Hall each added 12 points, and the bench poured in 44 points in a well-balanced effort. The victory secured Northern Colorado's first 20-win season since 2018–19.

BEARS ARE DEEP: Depth has been a major asset for Northern Colorado through 28 games. The Bears rank among the nation's top teams in bench scoring, averaging 31.1 points per game from reserves. UNC's ability to rotate lineups without losing defensive intensity or offensive rhythm has consistently worn-down opponents and sparked key scoring runs throughout the season.

RECORD WATCH: Several experienced Bears continue to climb the program's all-time charts. Gabi Fields now stands second in career steals with 246 and sixth in career assists with 356. She is tied for ninth in games played (121), tied for second in games started (120), and ranks 16th in career free throws made with 219. Fields also sits ninth in single season assists with 109 and counting.

Aniah Hall continues to make her mark, ranking 10th in games played with 119, sixth in career blocked shots with 91, and 13th in career rebounds with 613.

Tatum West has moved into 14th in career rebounds with 599 and is tied for ninth in single season steals with 61 and counting. West also ranks second in single-season offensive rebounds with 107 and needs just four more to break the record that has stood since the 2018–19 season.

SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles head to Greeley with a 13-15 overall record and a 6-9 mark in conference play. EWU is coming off a 10-point victory over Portland State after putting up 88 points in the match up. Eastern Washington is averaging 69.4 points per game and features four players scoring in double figures, led by Ella Gallatin at 15.8 points per contest.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON
Overall Series: UNC leads 23-15 (since 2008)
Last Meeting: UNC 71, NAU 62 (Jan 31, 2026 in Cheney)
Current Trend: In their last 10 matchups, the record between both programs is 5-5.

SCOUTING IDAHO: Idaho holds a 12-game winning streak dating back to January 15. The Vandals boast a 23-5 overall record and a 14-1 conference mark. UI is averaging nearly 80 points per game and has five players scoring in double figures. Hope Hassman leads the way at 14.1 points per game, followed by Kyra Gardner at 13.6, Lorena Barbosa at 12.0, Debora Dos Santos at 11.7, and Ana Pinheiro adding 10.4 per contest.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IDAHO
Overall Series: Idaho leads 12-10 (since 2015)
Last Meeting: UNC 55, UI 62 (Jan 29, 2026 in Greeley)
Current Trend: In their last 10 matchups, Idaho holds an 8-2 record over the Bears.

The games will stream live on ESPN+, with live updates available through the team's official social media channels.

UP NEXT: The Bears will then travel to Missoula, Montana to take on the Grizzlies on Monday, March 2 for the final regular season game of the season.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB)