OGDEN, Utah (January 7, 2017) – The Northern Colorado Bears stayed undefeated in #BigSkyWBB play, earning a 2-0 road sweep of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, after a 69-66 win over NAU.
The Bears outscored the Lumberjacks 18-13 in the final period, holding NAU to just one free throw in the period – a statistic that proved to be a large benefit to Northern Arizona in the third period. NAU had a consistent advantage in the paint, outrebounding UNC, 41-31, while also getting the advantage in second-chance points, 15-8.
Still, it was Northern Colorado who outstretched the Lumberjacks, utilizing three double-digit scorers to earn the road win. The Bears were led by Savannah Scott, who continued her strong play this season with 18 points. Courtney Smith also contributed 16 points for Northern Colorado.
Brittani Lusain led the Lumberjacks with 20 points and 9 rebounds, making 8-of-12 field goals.
Portland State 88, Sacramento State 86 – In a battle between two of #BigSkyWBB’s up-tempo units, Portland State earned its first league win of the season, picking up a road win over the Hornets.
The Vikings had to defend a final possession, as Sacramento State had the ball, down two, with seconds left. However, Emily Easom’s shot wasn’t true, sending PSU to the win. Portland State’s defense consistently limited the Hornets’ long-range attack, keeping Sacramento State to just 15-of-51 makes on three-point shots (29.4 percent).
Due in part to Sacramento State’s style of play, the Vikings dominated the paint, holding a 50-32 advantage there. Overall, PSU shot 56.1 percent from the floor, including a red-hot 72.2 percent in the third quarter (13-of-18). Portland State outscored Sacramento State 28-19 in the third period, tying the score at 53-53 heading into the fourth quarter.
Ashley Bolston had a monster performance for the Vikings, finishing with 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting. Also, Sidney Rielly finished with 25 points for Portland State.
Sacramento State’s Maranne Johnson finished with 23 points, making six three-point shots.
Eastern Washington 60, Montana 46 – A strong start propelled the Eagles to a split of the Montana road series, as the Eagles defeated the Lady Griz Saturday.
Eastern Washington held a 24-12 lead after the first quarter, and led wire-to-wire in the game. The Eagles dominated the paint, 48-28, and scored 20 points off Lady Griz turnovers. The Eagles’ defense also extended beyond just forcing turnovers, as Montana shot just 17.6 percent from three-point range (3-of-17).
The reigning #BigSkyWBB Player of the Week, Tisha Phillips, continued a strong run for EWU, finishing with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting. Also, Delaney Hodgins chipped in 17 points for Eastern Washington.
Gabi Harrington was the lone double-digit scorers for the Lady Griz, finishing with 12 points.
Montana State 80, Idaho 64 – The Montana State Bobcats brutalized the Idaho Vandals in the paint, with the defending #BigSkyWBB regular season champ defeating the defending tournament champion in Bozeman.
The Bobcats outscored the Vandals 40-16 in the paint, while controlling the rebounding advantage, 54-38. Additionally, Montana State shut down Idaho’s shooting game, as the Vandals finished with a 22.2 percent mark from three-point range (8-of-36). MSU never trailed in the game, and led by as much as 23 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats held a 23-8 lead after the first quarter, and used a deep bench to control for the remainder of the game. Montana State’s bench outscored Idaho’s bench, 37-20, in the game. At one point, Montana State held a 21-6 lead in the first quarter, after a Peyton Ferris jumper.
Ferris led all scorers, following up a strong performance on Thursday with another gem, finishing with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Annika Lai also contributed 15 points.
Geraldine McCorkell led Idaho with 19 points.
Weber State 50, Idaho State 43 – A strong third quarter moved Weber State to a 2-1 record in Big Sky play, as the Wildcats downed previously undefeated Idaho State.
In a game that featured a defensive theme, Weber State outscored the Bengals 29-15 in the second half, holding Idaho State to 6-of-32 shooting on field goal attempts. Idaho State’s offensive inconsistency allowed Weber State to overcome a 28-21 halftime deficit, as the Bengals led by 11 midway through the second quarter.
It truly was as if a flip switched, as the game featured one lead change, when Weber State took a 34-32 lead midway through the third quarter, on a Jocelyn Adams layup. It was a lead the Wildcats would never relinquish, on their way to their second-straight league win.
Adams led Weber State with 21 points, with teammate Yarden Danan chipping in 12 points. Grace Kenyon was ISU’s lone double-digit scorer, finishing with 13 points.
North Dakota 68, Southern Utah 65 - A remarkable fourth quarter comeback catapulted North Dakota to a road win over Southern Utah.
The Fighting Hawks outscored the Thunderbirds 26-9 in the fourth quarter, outlasting Southern Utah after the Thunderbirds led by as much as 16 late in the third quarter.
Samantha Roscoe and Makailah Dyer led the Fighting Hawks with 20 points, each. Darri Frandsen scored 16 points for Southern Utah.