Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior guard Sharese Jones scored 25 points to power Missouri Southern State past Nebraska Kearney, 92-64, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was the MIAA opener for both teams. The Lions (7-0) remain undefeated while the Lopers (3-4) slip below the .500 mark.

UNK was a bit short handed tonight as head coach Kevin Chaney had just eight healthy players available. That number will grow to 11 or more in the coming days and weeks.

Despite the limited options and going up against the nation's stingiest scoring defense, the Lopers led 16-8 by the 12:41 mark. This early stretch featured six points from sophomore forward Kelsey Fitzgerald (Yankton, S.D.) and threes by junior Laramey Lewis (Trenton) and sophomore Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.).

However, the Lions started to run and gun, finishing the night 11 of 23 (47.8%) from the behind the three point line, not to mention a 58.1% effort (36 of 62) from the floor overall.

Ten different Southern players entered the scoring column as they managed to lead 39-31 at the break. They then scored the first seven points of the second half and ended up shooting 66% (21 of 32) over the final 20 minutes

"We ran out of gas. Our first five and their first five matched up pretty well. We played the first 17 or so minutes fairly well," said Chaney. "They started to push the basketball, brought in some new bodies and got transition layups. It was hard to stay with them."

Jones, standing 5-8, sunk 12 of 16 shots (0 of 2 threes) and made one free throw to reach her game-high point total. She also had four rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes.  

Showing its balance, MSSU got threes from six different players. The Lions also tallied 30 of its points off 20 UNK turnovers while having a plus five rebounding margin, 31-26. Finally, they managed 18 fast break points thanks to 11 steals.

Senior post Amarah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) led the Loper cause by having a big second half to finish with 21 points and nine caroms (four offensive). She was 8 of 15 from the floor and 5 of 7 at the line.

Next, Lewis had 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal with Hogberg supplying 13 points and three assists.

UNK hosts Southwest Baptist (3-3) Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Bearcats lost at No. 18 Washburn tonight, 80-64.