Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team made eight free throws in the last five minutes to edge Metro State, 68-64, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (6-13, 5-7 RMAC) wins its third in a row and beats the Roadrunners (11-9, 6-6 RMAC) for a a sixth consecutive time.

This also was UNK head coach Carol Russell's 160th career win. She needs 38 more victories to break the school record of 197, set by current Drake head coach Amy Stephens (1994-02).

Moment of the Game
In a contest with 11 ties and seven lead changes, UNK trailed 64-60 with 5:11 left. The Lopers didn't make a field goal in the last 7:38 but, by going 8 of 10 at the line, had enough to get past Metro.

Two made freebies from sophomore guard Tessa Kreutzer tied things at 64 with 2:09 to go. Neither team would score again until junior post Megan Becker sank two free throws with 40 seconds left.

During the scoreless stretch for both teams, Metro missed two shots and had a turnover. The turnover, off a steal from sophomore guard Debi Johnson, led to Becker's free throws.

After a series of timeouts, Metro had a chance to tie the game at the 27 second mark but, facing a zone from UNK, wing Candice Kohn missed a bunny inside. After Kreutzer made 1 of 2 freebies, a three from Alyssa Benson misfired with 13 seconds to go.

A free throw from sophomore Vanessa Leeper then finished the scoring.

On the night, UNK out rebounded Metro by two (35-33) and also had a higher field goal percentage (42.9 to 40.0). The top ranked free throw shooting team in the RMAC (77.4), the Lopers finished the night 20 of 23 at the line, an 87.0 pct. success rate.

Lopers of the Game
Johnson (So., G, Elsie) - team-high 15 points on 4 of 9 3-point shooting, 3 assists
Leeper (So., F, Colo. Springs) - 13 points (12 in the 1st half), team-high 8 rebounds
Becker (Jr., F, Beaver City) - 12 points, 6 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench
Kim Thissen (Sr., F, Davenport, Ia.) - 10 points on 4 of 5 FG shooting, 3 blocks, 3 rebounds

Opponent Notes
Kohn had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Starter Chelsea Williamson a team-high 16 points, 3 rebounds
Starter Kristin Valencia had a double double (11 pts. & 13 rebounds) plus 4 assists, 3 steals

Up Next
UNK hosts Regis Saturday at 1:00 p.m.