Box Score Kearney, Neb. – A 22-0 second half run helped the Nebraska Kearney pull away and beat Northeastern State, 61-49, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (9-7) has won three straight while the RiverHawks, from Tahlequah, Okla., fall to 8-7. Both teams are 4-4 in league play.

Against a defensive minded NSU squad that likes to slow it down on offense, UNK went 6 of 14 from the three point line in the first half to lead 28-23 at the break. Three of those makes came from an unlikely source in sophomore forward Kelsey Fitzgerald (Yankton, S.D.).

The 'Hawks, which shot just 31% (8 of 26) in the first half, hit their first two shots after halftime to trail 30-28 at the 18:49 mark. They wouldn't score again until there was 9:06 left in the game.

UNK's 22-0 run was followed by a 12-0 NSU spurt and then a 7-2 Loper run. The unprecedented "big run" saw Kearney go 10 of 14 (71.4%) from the field and 2 of 4 at the line with Fitzgerald and senior post Amarah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) scoring eight a piece.

During this nearly 10 minute stretch, NSU went 0 for 12 from the field and committed five turnovers.

"We came out in the second half and played like the way we are capable of," said UNK head coach Kevin Chaney. "When we're playing that good, everything is clicking."

Fitzgerald finished with a game-high 19 points, two off her career-high. She was 8 of 13 from the floor (3 of 3 threes) and also had seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Williams got going in the second half, ending with 14 points and nine boards (six defensive), while freshman guard McKenzie Brown (G.I. Northwest) had 10 points and six rebounds (three offensive).

Finally, Arizona sophomore point guard Alexa Hogberg had nine assists to one turnover. The MIAA leader in assists at just over five per game, this marks her seventh contest with seven or more dimes.

NSU was paced by starter Bria Pierce, who finished with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.

UNK hosts Central Oklahoma Saturday evening. The Bronchos dropped to 13-4 (6-2) after a 60-52 setback at Fort Hays State tonight.