Wildcats set for first big test at Northern Colorado

GREELEY, Colo. - The Wildcat women's basketball team brings its undefeated start to the season (3-0) into the mountain time zone on Friday evening when it takes on the Northern Colorado Bears of the Big Sky Conference. It is ACU's first matchup against a Division I opponent this season, and the first road test of the year. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. MT) and can be seen on Pluto TV and heard on 98.1 The Ticket.

FOLLOW THE GAME

SERIES HISTORY

The teams have only met once, and it happened on New Year's Eve in 1990. Northern Colorado won that matchup, 80-73, in Greeley, Colo. This will be the first meeting between the schools as members of Division I, and it's UNC's first ever game against the Southland Conference. ACU has played three other Big Sky opponents before: Idaho State, Eastern Washington, and Idaho.

ACU STORYLINES

• ACU opened 3-0 for the fourth consecutive season, and the fifth time under head coach Julie Goodenough. The Wildcats dominated Howard Payne, Midwestern State, and UT Permian Basin to open their temporary home, the Teague Center.
• ACU brings new talent to the forefront after graduating the top two scorers in the conference (Breanna Wright and Dominique Golightly) as well as post Lexie Ducat. The Wildcats have seen great production from Madi Miller, Anna McLeod, and Alyssa Adams, who are each averaging north of 15 points per game. McLeod leads the way with a 19 PPG clip, while Miller is averaging 17 PPG.
• Kamryn Mraz set a new career mark with 14 points against UT Permian Basin, and newcomer Sarah Griswold tallied her best game in her short stint in Purple and White with an 11-point, eight-rebound effort.
• ACU's Emergency Response Team Thursday announced that its Teague Center capacity restrictions will remain in place through Dec. 25. Attendance is restricted to season ticket holders and team pass lists. No walk up or single-game sales are allowed. No complimentary admission for faculty and staff is allowed. A re-evaluation of the policy will take place prior to the Dec. 29 men's game vs. Dallas Christian.
  • Games impacted include: Thursday, Dec. 10 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor AND Tuesday, Dec. 15 vs. UT Tyler (WBB).

SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO

• Alisha Davis is coming off her best per­formance of the season after a monster double-double (24 points, 14 rebounds).
• Jasmine Gayles notched her first career double-double on Tuesday night against Denver (14 points, 10 rebounds).
• Freshman guard Hanna Simental etched her best effort in the Blue and Gold, including the game-sealing free-throws in the final seconds.
• The Bears bench has been downright dominant in its first three games, out­scoring each opponent in the category.
• UNC has been a beast in the paint this season. Last time out against Denver, the Bears outscored the Pios 42-28, en route to its first victory of the season.