Women's basketball wins big on senior night

Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics
Women’s basketball wins big on senior night

By Adam Ide

Bear News Sportswriter
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            The University of Northern Colorado women’s basketball team won its final regular-season game Friday 90-68 over Sacramento State.

            It was the Bears’ 23^rd win of the season, a program record. The win also extended the team’s winning streak to 10 games.

            “We made a lot of shots tonight and had a great flow and pace when we were playing at our best,” head coach Kamie Ethridge said. “I loved seeing our team play at such a high level.”

It was senior night at Bank of Colorado Arena, with Kirsten Kramer, Savannah Scott and Kianna Williams all being honored in a pre-game ceremony. The players were accompanied by their parents and were presented with a commemorative jersey.

“I was already so hyped just from the day that everything else was so awesome,” Williams said.

Scott spoke about how the team feels going into the Big Sky Tournament.

“It feels good to be on the 10-game win streak and for the way we are playing,” she said. “We’ve gone through injuries and adversity all year long, so to be playing the way we are, we have a lot of confidence.

            Freshman guard Tiarna Clarke was the leading scorer for Northern Colorado (19 points), and was one of five in double figures. She was joined by Scott, Williams, junior guard Savannah Smith and sophomore guard Krystal Leger-Walker.

            The Hornets had two players in double figures themselves, led by Maranne Johnson’s 17 and Hannah Friend’s 13.

            The two teams traded baskets for most of the first quarter, but UNC held a 21-15 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Bears started an impressive run late in the quarter and carried it into the second, eventually making it a 13-2 run.

            Northern Colorado ended the second on another impressive run, outscoring SSU 11-2. UNC led 45-28 going into the locker room.

            The Bears didn’t let up in the third, pushing their lead to as much as 27 with two minutes remaining. They led 69-46 after three and held on the rest of the way.

            With the win, Northern Colorado finishes the regular season with a 23-6 record, 15-3 in Big Sky play. Sacramento State falls to 7-13, 5-13 conference.

            UNC now heads to Reno, Nevada for the Big Sky Tournament. The team has a first-round bye and won’t play until Wednesday when they play the winner of the Montana-Sacramento State game.