Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore guard Laramey Lewis scored a career-high 19 points and freshman forward Kelsey Fitzgerald recorded her first collegiate double double as Nebraska-Kearney held off Lindenwood, 78-71, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
The final contest of the first semester, UNK improves to 5-5 (2-2) while the Lions fall to 7-3 (2-1). They won just four times all of last season.
 
The Lopers were ahead for the last 32 minutes as they sunk five of their six three pointers over a seven-minute span in the first half, turning a two-point deficit into a 31-19 lead. Lewis (Trenton) and Las Vegas freshman Tori Payne each hit two treys during this stretch.
 
After Kansas junior Rylie Bowser sunk two free throws at the 2:18 mark, the Loper lead ballooned to 16 points at 37-21. However, Lindenwood started to warm up on the offensive end and that helped them go on a similar run, tying things up at 47 by the 14:05 mark of the second half.
 
Limited to 18 minutes due to foul trouble, junior post Amarah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) quickly gave Kearney the lead back, one that got as big as eight points with 3:47 to play.  

With just 59 seconds left, Lindenwood trailed by only two points, 70-68, after Melissa Lehnig made two free throws. UNK salted things away, however, by making eight free throws in the final minute.

For the game, Kearney was 28 of 45 (62%) at the line. The 28 makes are a season-high effort with the attempts tying for the third most in school history. The Lopers went to the line 51 times in a November 1991 game vs. Oklahoma City.
 
To reach her point total, Lewis made three triples and went 6 of 10 at the line. She also had five rebounds and four of the Lopers 13 steals.  

Shooting 17 times, Fitzgerald (Yankton, S.D.) had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Six of her caroms came on the offensive end with nine of her points coming after the break.
 
Nine other Lopers scored, including season-highs by Bowser (nine) and Payne (seven).
 
Lehning came off the bench to have 17 points and seven rebounds for Lindenwood with starting forward Caroline Bourlioux at 18 points and nine boards.
 
UNK is off until a January 4th game at 8th-ranked Central Missouri.