Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior post Nadia Williams scored a career-high 18 points as Nebraska-Kearney hung on to beat Central Oklahoma, 72-60, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
This was the first-ever meeting between the Lopers (6-13, 3-9) and Bronchos (8-11, 1-10). UCO has now dropped nine in a row.
 
Leading most of the night, UNK dominated the glass, 48-33, including a 20-11 advantage in offensive caroms. UCO came into the week ranked last in the MIAA in rebounding margin (-7.2).
 
Finishing with 17 second chance points, the Lopers grabbed its biggest lead of the game, 54-42, after Williams (San Jose, Calif.) made her last bucket of the night with 10:51 to play.
 
However, seconds later, Williams was injured after committing a foul. The Lopers, with Williams on the bench, wouldn't make a field goal for the next five minutes as UCO went on a 13-2 run.  During this stretch, UCO hit two of its three treys while UNK went 0 for 3 from the with two turnovers.
 
The momentum switched back to the Lopers once again as junior point guard Nicole Arp (Kearney H.S.) sunk two free throws and then hit a three to make it 60-55 with 5:33 left.
 
After UCO missed back-to-back threes, freshman Laramey Lewis (Trenton) made a layup and then junior post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) made one of two free throws to give UNK a comfortable eight point lead.
 
To reach her point total, Williams was 8 of 13 from the field (1 of 2 threes). Eventually returning to the court after that injury, she also had seven rebounds (five defensive).  

Norman had a big second half to record her fifth double double of the year (11 points & 12 rebounds) with Lewis making five shots to have 12 points. She also supplied six rebounds, three assists and two steals.  

Off the bench, Lincoln sophomore forward Queen Ohamara had nine points (5 of 6 free throws), eight boards and three assists.
 
Starter Jill Bryan (15 points & seven rebounds) and reserve Whitney Dunn (11 points) paced UCO.
 
The Lopers are at Fort Hays State next Saturday and then host the Tigers a week later.