Box Score  Kearney, Neb. – Four starters scored in double figures to help the Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team beat NW Missouri State, 71-54, Thursday night in Maryville, Mo.
 
The Lopers move over the .500 mark (8-7, 3-4) and are now 5-2 on the road this winter. Meanwhile, the Bearcats remain winless in league play (4-11, 0-6).
 
UNK was a bit short handed as junior guard Laramey Lewis (17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists & 2.1 steals per game) was sidelined due to injury. It's expected she'll be able to play next Thursday, January 15th, vs. Northeastern State.
 
Kearney had several players step up in her absence as true freshman Taylor Neilson had season-highs in points (10) and rebounds (seven), sophomore Alexa Hogberg had 12 of UNK's first 19 points and true freshman McKenzie Brown's 19 points were her second highest output of the season. 
 
Northwest scored the first four points but UNK, behind Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.), came back to lead 19-17 by the 6:06 mark. Ahead 28-25 at the break, the Lopers were down four early in the second half but used a 19-2 run to lead 47-34 with 11:46 left on the clock. The 'Cats didn't get closer than nine points the rest of the way.
 
The key run featured two threes by Neilson (Meeker, Colo.) and one by Brown (G.I. Northwest). UNK finished 8 of 17 from behind the arc
 
"I'm so proud of this team," said head coach Kevin Chaney. "Not only did we lose Laramey but Amarah (Williams) was a bit under the weather and then Alexa had to come out.  Every single person stepped up tonight."
 
UNK had just 12 turnovers, tying a season-low, while shooting 50% (15 of 30) in the second half. The Lopers also had a plus four rebounding margin, 38-34, and held the 'Cats to 38.6% shooting (22 of 57).
 
To reach her point total, Brown was 7 of 16 (3 of 8 threes) from the field and 2 of 2 at the line. She also had a team-high three steals, five rebounds and two assists in playing all 40 minutes.
 
Next, Neilson had three field goals with four of her boards coming on the offensive end. Before leaving due to gash on her forehead, Hogberg hit 5 of 6 (2 of 3 threes) shots with junior point guard Javona Wynne (Omaha North H.S.) having a season-high seven assists and tying her season-high in points (four) and rebounds (five).
 
"McKenzie, as a freshman, stepped up and was a leader. Taylor played outstanding defense on an all-conference player and Javona played more minutes than she has all season. It was a great team win," said Chaney.
 
In the paint, sophomore forward Kelsey Fitzgerald (Yankton, S.D.) had 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting with Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) pulling down a game-high 11 boards (10 defensive) in 31 minutes of work.
 
Starter Taylor Shull and reserve Tember Schechinger had 10 points apiece to lead Northwest.