Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The NW Missouri State women's basketball team had three starters score in double digits, and got out to an early lead, to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 67-56, Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Mo.
 
The Lopers fall to 3-5 (1-1) while the Bearcats, now led by former Fort Lewis coach Mark Kellogg, improve to 7-2 (2-0).
 
Leading from start to finish, Northwest got out to an 11-0 lead by the 16:45 mark. UNK shot just 33% (8 of 24) over the first 20 minutes with the 'Cats making nearly half their shots (15 of 33).
 
Down 34-19 at the break, the Lopers shot 58% (15 of 26) in the second half and closed the game on a 19-11 run.
 
Grabbing 15 offensive rebounds, NW Missouri was paced by sophomore guard Ashleigh Nelson (17 points, four assists, four steals), sophomore forward Annie Mathews (13 points & 11 rebounds) and 6-3 sophomore post Maggie Marnin (12 points, five rebounds, three blocks).
 
UNK scored 29 of its points off of 21 Bearcat turnovers and outscored Northwest in the paint, 32-24. However, the Lopers were made only 8 of 14 free throws (57%) and committed 25 turnovers.
 
Individually, sophomore post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) had her second straight double double (10 points & 13 rebounds) as well as a game-high four blocks.
 
Also, senior point guard Ivy Jones (Vallejo, Calif.) had 10 points and five steals in 24 minutes with junior guard Sarah Hix (Broomfield, Colo.) having eight points and three assists off the bench.
 
UNK hosts Loper basketball alumni in an exhibition game next Saturday afternoon. The team's next regular season game is December 30th vs. South Dakota Mines.