Kearney, Neb. – Colorado State University-Pueblo shot nearly 50 percent from the field and three pointers to beat University of Nebraska Kearney, 71-68, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.
Nebraska Kearney drops to 9-8, 8-5 in the RMAC, while Colorado State University-Pueblo improves to 11-6, 8-5 in the RMAC. Colorado State University-Pueblo ends Nebraska Kearney four game winning streak, has won the last four meetings and six of the last seven game played.
UNK would start the first half on 6-3 scoring run that covered the first three minutes of the game by getting back to back layups by junior forward Vanessa Leeper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and free throws by freshman point guard Sarah Hix (Broomfield, Colo.).
CSUP used a 7-2 scoring run that would cover four minutes to lead 10-8, then would extend the lead to 11 points with 12:25 left till halftime. Senior point guard Rachel Espinoza lead the way with eight points and teammate Erica Hicks would add six points during the scoring run.
Senior forward Megan Becker (Beaver City) would cut the lead down to nine points with 11:13 left in the first twenty minutes on a jump shot. After Becker's jumpers the T-Wolves would lead rest of the half by double digits.
The Lopers would start the second twenty minutes on 7-2 scoring run to cut the Thunderwolves lead back down to single digits, Becker would score four of the seven points and junior Kim Rickels scored the other three points during the run.
The Thunderwolves would push the lead back up to double digits for the last time on a three pointer by Kendall Babler. Over the next eight and half minutes the Lopers would slowly chip away at the Thunderwolves lead and took the lead on and take their lead of the game on a layup by Leeper with 7:50 left in the game.
Over the next six minutes the game was either tied or Pueblo had a two or three point lead. Pueblo had a 69-68 with 13 second left in the game, then extended the lead to 71-68 on two free throws by Babler. Junior guard Debi Johnson (Elsie) had a chance to send the game to overtime for the second straight night but missed a three pointer with three seconds left.
Pueblo was led in scoring by Bartlett with 17 points, four rebounds and three steals, Babler would contribute 16 points by going 6-6 from the line with four assist and five rebounds, Espinoza and Hicks would each score 13 points.
Kearney was led in scoring by Leeper with 19 points by going 3-3 from behind the arc with six rebounds, Becker would add 17 points and six rebounds, and finally Lea Ann Jameson (Minden) would score 13 points off the bench and having two steals.
Nebraska Kearney is back in action next weekend when they host Colorado Christian & Colorado Mines.
