Kearney, Neb. - Regis University shot 50 percent from the floor to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 82-79, Saturday night in Denver, Colo.

Nebraska Kearney falls to 3-5, 2-2 in the RMAC while the Rangers improve to 5-3, 4-0 in the RMAC.
Also, the Rangers end a six game losing streak to the Lopers but UNK still leads the all-time series 25-11.

The Lopers started the game on a 6-0 run, thanks to baskets by junior forward Vanessa Leeper (Colorado Springs, Colo.), true freshman guard Nicole Arp (Kearney) and junior guard Debi Johnson (Elise).

Regis came back to get within one point at the 15:50 mark and then got its second lead of the half on a three by Kaitie Vader. UNK scored a basket by another true freshman in guard Sarah Hix (Bloomfield, Colo.) to tie the game at 12 all.

Over the next three minutes, each team traded baskets or held a lead no larger than one point. Regis then erupted for a 20-7 scoring run to lead, 37-23, with four minutes until halftime.

Kearney battled back to cut the large deficit to six points, 40-34, at the half as senior post Megan Becker (Beaver City) scored six late points.

Nebraska Kearney opened the second 20 minutes by getting points from Leeper to trim the Regis lead to four. After that, Regis pushed its lead back to double digits and held that margin until the 11:00 minute mark.

The Lopers, using its own large run, grabbed a short lived lead at the 6:19 minute mark thanks to a three by junior guard Kim Rickels (Iowa City, Ia.). After Regis took the lead back, UNK held its last lead of the on another three point by Rickels, 73-72, with 3:15 left.

Regis ended the game on a 10-6 spurt, getting six points from Meagan Nickell.

Kearney had four players in double digits, led by Leeper with a career-high 23 points, followed by 14 from Becker, Rickels chipping in a career-high 12 and, finally Johnson finishing with 10.

Regis was led by post Kari Ameling with a team-high 20 points, followed by Vader with 18 and Nickell at 13.

The Lopers shot 94.4% from the free throw line (17-18), thanks to a 14-14 effort in the second half while the Rangers shot 76.7% (23-30) from the charity stripe.

Nebraska Kearney will be on the road again next weekend at Colorado Mines and Colorado Christian.