CSU women's basketball finishes strong in win over Northern Colorado

The CSU women's basketball team used a hot shooting fourth quarter to pull away from Northern Colorado in a 55-44 road win Sunday.

CSU (6-3) led 36-34 entering the final period but outscored the Bears 19-10 in the fourth quarter to beat the Bears (6-3) for the third straight time.

The Rams hit 8 of 12 shots in the final quarter, led by junior forward Annie Brady, who scored half of her game-high 20 points in the fourth-quarter. She drained 5 of 6 shots from the field in the period.

The Rams shot 50 percent from the field (24 for 48) and 4 for 6 from 3-point range for the game and held UNC to 32.7 percent shooting from the field (18 for 55), including 14.3 percent from 3-point range (3 for 21).

Brady finished hitting 14 for 20 from the field. Hannah Tvrdy had 12 points and seven rebounds. Grace Colaivalu had eight points. Veronica Mirkovic had eight rebounds.

The Bears were led by Courtney Smith's 14 points and seven rebounds. Former Fossil Ridge High School standout Savannah Smith struggled for the Bears. She shot just 1 for 7 from the floor, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range, and scored two points. She added three assists and two steals to go with two turnovers.

As important as the Rams' fourth quarter shooting was, the Rams' second period defense helped them take a 27-18 lead. The Bears scored just two points in the second quarter on 1-for-13 shooting from the floor, including missing all seven 3-pointers.

"We were really active (on defense),'' CSU coach Ryun Williams said. "We played really hard, but also really smart. We anticipated really well, and were pretty aware and alert to what was going on around us. We did a great job of locating shooters.''

The Rams have the week off for final exams then return to action 7 p.m. Dec. 18 when they host Prairie View A&M.

CSU 55, NORTHERN COLORADO 44

CSU (6-3) — Annie Brady 20, Annah Tvrdy 12, Grace Colaivalu 8, Stine Austgulen 3, Sofie Tryggedsson 0, Liah Davis 6, Lore Devos 4, Lena Svanholm 2, Veronica Mirkovic 0, Jordyn Edwards 0

UNC (6-3) — Courtney Smith 14, Krysta Leger-Walker 9, Kianna Williams 8, Savannah Scott 7, Savannah Smith 2, Tianna Clark 4, Bridgit Hintz 0