Bears Withstand Late Push, Top Eastern Washington 70–65 on Senior Night

Thursday, February 26

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

21-8,12-4Big Sky

Eastern Washington

13-16,6-10Big Sky

Eastern Wash.

Northern Colo.

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)

Kim Spurry | UNC Athletics

2/26/2026 8:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball earned a hard-fought 70–65 win over Eastern Washington on Senior Night, Thursday evening inside Bank of Colorado Arena, improving to 21–8 overall and 12–4 in Big Sky Conference play.

The Bears jumped out to a fast start, holding the Eagles to just six points in the opening quarter while building a commanding 24–6 lead after the first 10 minutes of action. Northern Colorado shot 50 percent from the field in the opening period and used its defensive pressure to set the tone early.

Eastern Washington responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Bears 22–12 to trim the deficit to 36–28 at halftime. The Eagles knocked down five three-pointers in the period to stay within striking distance heading into the break.

Northern Colorado regrouped in the third quarter and maintained its lead with balanced scoring and strong interior play, entering the fourth quarter in front 53–40. The Bears shot over 41 percent in the third and continued to attack the paint, where they finished with a 36–22 advantage in points in the paint.

The fourth quarter turned into a tight battle, as Eastern Washington cut the deficit to just two points midway through the period and briefly took a late lead. Northern Colorado responded with timely baskets down the stretch and sealed the win at the free-throw line in the final seconds.

Tatum West led all scorers with 20 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting night and added nine rebounds to pace the Bears. Neenah George finished with 13 points and a team-high five assists, while Gabi Fields chipped in 10 points. Erin Powell added seven points, and Aniah Hall contributed seven points and six rebounds off the bench.

Northern Colorado shot 46.7 percent from the field for the game and recorded 17 assists on 28 made baskets. The Bears also held a 20–8 advantage in bench points and scored 22 points off Eastern Washington turnovers.

BROKEN RECORD: With four offensive rebounds in the game, Tatum West now holds the single-season offensive rebounds record, surpassing Ali Meyer's mark that had stood since the 2018–19 season.

RECORD WATCH: Aniah Hall ranks 10th all-time in games played with 120, 13th in career rebounds with 619, and sixth in career blocked shots.

Gabi Fields is now tied for eighth all-time in games played with 122 and has moved into second all-time in games started with 121. She currently stands sixth in career assists with 360 and seventh all-time in single season assists with 113.

UP NEXT: The Bears will hit the road for the final stretch in regular when they head to Moscow, Idaho to take on the Vandals on Saturday, February 28 before heading to Missoula, Montana to face the Grizzlies in the regular season finale.

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

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)