PREVIEW: Bears Set for WNIT Second Round Clash with Coyotes

Sunday, March 22

Vermillion, SD

12 p.m. MDT

University of Northern Colorado

South Dakota

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3/20/2026 8:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball

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By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado women's basketball heads into the second round of the WNIT, traveling to Vermillion, South Dakota to face the Coyotes on Sunday, March 22. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MDT.

Fans can watch the game live on Midco Sports, with live stats and updates available throughout via the team's official social media channels.

LAST TIMEOUT: Northern Colorado set the tone early in round one against Air Force and never let up, using efficient offense and a strong inside presence to secure a 79–72 road win. The Bears shot over 64 percent in the first quarter to take a 23–17 lead and carried that momentum into halftime, going 11-for-14 in the second to build a 48–33 advantage. Tatum West led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season, while Neenah George added 19 points and four assists. UNC maintained control through the third and finished shooting 60 percent from the field with seven three-pointers. Despite a late push from Air Force that cut the lead to one possession, the Bears responded with clutch plays down the stretch. UNC dominated the paint 42–24 and held a 34–29 rebounding edge to secure the win and advance in postseason play.

NOTES ABOUT THE BEARS: Northern Colorado has put together a strong and balanced season, holding a +8.8-scoring margin while averaging 68.8 points per game and shooting 42 percent from the field. Neenah George leads the team with 12.8 points per game and 423 total points, while adding 110 assists. Gabi Fields orchestras the offense, leading the team with 119 assists on the season. Tatum West anchors the interior with 11.1 points and a team-best 9.3 rebounds per game, shooting an efficient 58.6 percent from the floor. Heather Baymon adds 11.5 points per game and leads the team from three-point range with 68 makes, while Aniah Hall contributes 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest. As a team, UNC controls the glass with a +5.1 rebounding margin and applies defensive pressure, averaging 11.1 steals per game to highlight a well-rounded effort on both ends of the floor.

SCOUTING THE COYOTES: This Coyotes feature a balanced offensive attack led by Angelina Robles, who paces the team with 15.9 points per game while also contributing as a playmaker with 98 assists. Molly Joyce adds another strong scoring option at 12.6 points per game, and Elise Turrubiates provides versatility with 9.1 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds per contest. Patience Williams is another key presence on the glass, averaging 7.0 rebounds, giving the team a strong interior foundation. The team shoots efficiently from the field, with multiple players above 40 percent, and has perimeter threats in Robles and Turrubiates. Defensively, South Dakota is active and physical, with solid rebounding numbers and balanced contributions across the roster.

POSTSEASON NOTES: With Thursday evening's win over Air Force, the Bears secured their first postseason victory since the 2015 season. That year, Northern Colorado defeated Colorado State in the opening round of the WNIT and followed with a second-round win over South Dakota in Greeley, before falling to UCLA on the road.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. SOUTH DAKOTA
Overall Series: USD leads 2-3 (since 2010)
Last Meeting: USD 72, UNC 59 (Nov. 11, 2023, in Vermillion)
Current Trend: In their last five match ups, the Coyotes hold a 3-2 record advantage over the Bears.

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: After a big win in their in-state Round One WNIT match up, celebrate the Bears postseason momentum by making a gift to the Fast Break Club today. Your support fuels UNC Women's Basketball and helps provide the resources our student-athletes need to continue competing at the highest level this postseason.

Give for the W: https://advance.unco.edu/g/womenbasketball

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)