Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The 7th-ranked Emporia State Hornets blocked 16 shots and had six score in double figures to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 82-68, Wednesday night in Kansas.
 
The top ranked team in the Central Region, Emporia improves to 24-2 (15-2) while UNK falls to 8-15 (4-12).
 
The Hornets never trailed and built an early 36-20 lead but the Lopers didn't go away as senior Shelby Zimmerman (Trenton) and junior Amarah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) each scored 23.
 
UNK, which committed only 11 turnovers, went on an 18-10 run late in the first half and then used a 12-4 run midway through the second half to trail by just a 69-62 score. The second spurt was capped when junior Rylier Bowser (Holton, Kans.) hit her first three in a Loper uniform.
 
However, E-State got two buckets from 5-10 senior reserve Desiree Wylie (12 points and seven rebounds) and 5-10 senior starter Laura Patrick made a free throw to push the lead back into double figures, 74-64, with 5:44 to play.
 
Having five six footers on the roster, including three standing 6-2 or higher, the Hornets had a decided height advantage over the Lopers. Nine different Hornets swatted a shot, including four by 6-3 junior Merissa Quick.
 
UNK ended up shooting 33.8% (25 of 74) but 21 offensive rebounds did laed to 22 second chance rebounds. After out rebounding Emporia by nine on February 1st, the Lopers were out rebounded by eight, 43-35, tonight.
 
Making half its field goals, Emporia was led by Patrick (17) and 5-8 redshirt freshman reserve Kelly Moten (14). She went 7 of 7 at the line and also added five rebounds.
 
For Kearney, Zimmerman recorded her fifth double double of the year as she had a team-high 11 boards (eight offensive). To reach her 23 points, she made nine shots from the field and went 5 of 6 at the line.
 
This is the second straight time Williams has tallied 23, her career-high collegiate point total, against the Hornets. She was 9 of 18 from the floor and 5 of 5 at the line while grabbing three offensive caroms.
 
Finally, Bowser had five points, five assists, three boards and two steals with junior post Chantal Thomas having four points and two boards off the pine.
 
UNK is at Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon.