Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team got 35 points from guards Debi Johnson and Kim Rickels to defeat Colorado Christian, 67-56, Sunday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (2-9, 2-4 RMAC) has now won two straight over the Cougars (3-8, 1-4 RMAC) to lead the all-time series 30-6.

In an up tempo game, both teams struggled offensively in the first half as they combined for 20 turnovers, and 20 points, by the 10 minute mark. By halftime, each team was shooting under 27% from the field.

UNK managed a 25-18 lead at the break as they sunk three three pointers while CCU went 0 of 7 from beyond the arc. Christian, an 18-win team a year ago, has struggled shooting the ball all season.

The Lopers lead only grew in the second half, getting as big as 20 points, as they started to warm up. Mean while, Christian remained ice cold, shooting well below 30% until a late surge that saw them score 18 points in the final 4:50.

After tallying a season-best 26 points Saturday in a win over Colorado Mines, Johnson (Elsie) went for 19 today as she went 10 of 10 at the line.

As a team, UNK sunk 24 of 29 freebies.  Also, the Lopers out rebounded CCU, 47-36, and scored 20 of its points thanks to 24 Cougar turnovers.

Rickels (Iowa City, Ia.), who went for a career-high 21 points vs. Mines, remained hot as she hit five of nine shots to finish with 16 points. Making two threes, she also pulled down seven rebounds.

In the middle, freshman post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) had a team-high nine rebounds and six points with senior Vanessa Leeper Jones (Colo. Springs, Colo.) having another all-around effort at seven points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals.

Southern Valley grad Jessica Murdoch led Christian with 14 points and six rebounds.

UNK plays again December 30th at Adams State.