UNK WBB: Lopers Pick Up Big Road Win

Three starters scored in double figures and the Nebraska Kearney women’s basketball almost led from wire-to-wire to down Northwest Missouri, 68-57, Thursday night in Maryville.

With the effort, the Lopers (15-5, 9-5) avenge a 67-65 setback to the Bearcats (15-5, 9-5) earlier this season and hand NW its third home loss. UNK also has won 10 of the last 11 in the series.

After the ‘Cats tallied the first bucket of the night, the Lopers zoomed ahead by an 18-8 margin and never looked back. While Northwest never let the deficit get bigger than 11 points, they also never climbed the hill and led for only 56 seconds overall.

Holding the ‘Cats to 31% shooting (20 of 64), including a frigid 5 of 27 effort from behind the arc, UNK was up just 32-30 early in the second half before going on a run. Two jumpers from Iowa redshirt junior Meg Burns, as well as buckets by Lincoln redshirt sophomore guard Jillan Aschoff and South Dakota redshirt freshman post Bailee Sobczak, made it 40-33 halfway through the third.

While a three by junior guard Peyton Kelderman made it 49-46 game entering the fourth, the Lopers had another response. An 11-3 spurt included five points from Burns and points from three others. Northwest didn’t get closer than five the rest of the way.

Plus 12 on the glass, UNK saw Burns and Iowa grad forward Shiloh McCool score 15 apiece with Sobczak adding 10 more. McCool also had 11 rebounds (nine defensive), making this her 28th career double double and ninth such effort of the season. All-American wing Jade Meads (2008-09) is the last Loper to have nine double doubles in a year.

Next, Mullen junior Samantha Moore had eight points and seven rebounds with Missouri super senior Lexi Moes hitting two first half threes to have six points. Finally, UNK went 17 of 27 at the line with NW going 12 of 19.

Sophomore guard Lindsey Kelderman, junior forward Kelsey Fields and redshirt freshman reserve guard Laini Joseph had 10 points apiece to lead the ‘Cats.

UNK travels to red-hot Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons (16-4, 11-3) have won six in a row after coming back from a 15-point deficit to down nationally-ranked Fort Hays State tonight, 68-66.