Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball overcame a nearly six minute scoring drought in the second half by making 57% of its field goals to hold off San Francisco State, 67-57, Saturday afternoon in California.
 
Playing in the Golden State for the first-time in school history, the Lopers improve to 2-1 while the Gators fall to 1-1. On November 4^th, SFSU beat Division I member Nevada, 73-68, in an exhibition game.
 
After forcing 33 turnovers to win its opener, San Francisco State turned the Lopers over 30 times today. Because of these miscues, UNK fell behind by seven early on but was solid on offense all game to eventually lead 30-24 at the break.
 
The Lopers kept up its hot shooting to start the second half, making three of its seven three pointers to open up a 48-34 advantage by the 13:30 mark.
 
However, the Gators responded with an 11-0 run that featured four Kearney turnovers. The Lopers final got back on the score board when junior wing Shelby Zimmerman (Beatrice) made a layup with 7:58 to go.
 
After SFSU cut the UNK lead to one two minutes later, junior southpaw Reed Levings (Cottage Grove, Oreg.) sunk a triple to make it 55-51. Down the stretch, UNK was solid at the line, making 12 of 15 shots, to keep the Gators at bay.
 
As a team, UNK went 24 of 42 from the floor, including a 7 of 14 effort from beyond the arc. The Lopers also had a plus 11 rebounding margin, 37-28, and had four starters score in double digits.
 
SFSU shot just 36% (23 of 64) from the field and was even colder at the charity stripe (6 of 15). Through three games, UNK is holding the opposition to 34% shooting, including 29% from the three point line.
 
Individually, Zimmerman made all seven shots she attempted to finish with a team-high 15 points. So far in 2012, the Tri-County H.S. graduate has made 19 of 28 shots (68%).
 
She also joined sophomore post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) as Lopers with eight rebounds with junior point guard Ivy Jones (Vallejo, Calif.) having 13 points and six assists.
 
Next, Trenton freshman guard Laramey Lewis made five shots to score 12 and junior guard Sara Hix (Broomfield, Colo.) added 11 thanks to two threes.Finally, Levings had all seven of the Loper bench points.
 
Guards Angela Van Sickel (17) and Nicole Hicks (16) combined for 33 points to lead the Gators.
 
UNK plays Division II newcomer the Academy of Art tomorrow in San Francisco.