Jan. 3, 2008

Final Stats

POCATELLO, Idaho - The University of Northern Colorado women's basketball team opened its Big Sky Conference season with an 86-66 loss to defending conference tournament champions Idaho State on Thursday evening. The Bears move to 6-8 on the year and 0-1 in league play, while the Bengals improve to 9-4 and 1-0 in conference action.

Junior guard Jamie Schroeder continued her hot streak, scoring a career-high 21 points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Senior center Danielle Hagen added 14 points, freshman guard Kate Kevorken scored 11 and she and freshman forward Lara Merritt each led the team with six rebounds. Sophomore guard Chelsie Luhring and freshman guard Paige Ricker each led with two assists.

Idaho State was led by player of the year candidate Natalia Doma with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Ashley Lightfoot chipped in 14 points and Michelle Grohs added 10. Lightfoot also led all players with six assists and Grohs had three blocks.

Northern Colorado shot .373 from the field and .375 from the three-point line, hitting six of 16 attempts and connected on .800 from the free throw line (16-20). The Bears also had 30 rebounds, nine assists and five steals with 15 turnovers.

The Bengals shot .475 for the game and .391 from the three-point line. The top-shooting free throw team in the nation continued that streak, hitting .826 from the stripe (19-23). They also had 40 rebounds, 18 assists, five blocks and five steals and committed 14 turnovers.

The Bears conclude the four-game road stretch at Weber State on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. The Wildcats are 6-6 on the season and open the Big Sky season against the Bears.