Lauren Young

Young paces Rams in loss at UNC

Freshman leads Rams with 14 points

Nov. 20, 2007

GREELEY, Colo. - Freshman forward Lauren Young had a breakout performance on Tuesday night, but it was not enough as Colorado State fell to Northern Colorado, 70-60, at the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion. 

"She's a factor. She gets her hands on everything," said Head coach Jen Warden of Young's performance.  "I've really been impressed by the escalation of her development over the last three weeks." 

Young shot 6-for-11 from the floor and led the Rams with a career-best 14 points in the contest. She also recorded six rebounds in the game and finished with three blocks and two steals in 29 minutes off the bench.   

"My confidence is definitely getting up there," said Young.  "My teammates are giving me confidence and that translates on the floor."

Young's performance was not enough to overcome UNC's long-range shooting.  Northern Colorado shot just 30 percent from the field, but knocked down 12-of-39 3-point attempts in the victory. 

Colorado State outrebounded the Bears by a 50-41 margin, but missed layups and missed free throws down the stretch proved to be too much for Colorado State to overcome.

With the Rams trailing 54-53 at the 5:22 mark of the second half, UNC went on an 11-3 run to push the lead. During that stretch, Colorado State missed four consecutive free-throw attempts.  Northern Colorado's Whitley Cox converted on 13-of-14 free throws, including the game's final four points, to keep the game out of the Rams' reach. 

Cox finished with 25 points in the contest. UNC's Danielle Hagan posted a double-double with 12 points and 20 rebounds. 

The loss was Colorado State's first to UNC in 15 games, dating back to the 1978-79 season.

"You just have to analyze and work on what you need to work on," added Warden.  "They will learn with experience. We have to play as game-like as we can in practice. Our players are still demonstrating what they are capable of." 

 Junior Britney Minor chipped in 10 points and four rebounds in the contest and sophomore Juanise Cornell finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. 

The Rams return to action on Friday, playing host to the Coors Rocky Mountain Invitational at Moby Arena. Colorado State will play Navy at 7 p.m. to open the tournament and will face either Creighton or Kent State on Saturday.