Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Four starters scored in double figures and Augustana had a plus 10 rebounding margin to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 82-63, Saturday afternoon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
The Vikings improve to 2-0 while the Lopers fall to 0-2.
 
On Friday night, UNK trailed Sioux Falls 28-10 after the first quarter in an 84-60 setback. Today, Augie jumped out to an 18-7 advantage after the first 10 minutes and never gave up the lead.
 
The Lopers, shooting 36% (20 of 55) for the game, got back into things with a 23 point second quarter. Down 34-30 at the break, UNK saw South Dakota sophomore Kelsey Fitzgerald score the final bucket of the third quarter, making it 53-45 Vikings.
 
However, Augie had a 29 point fourth quarter to push its lead back into double figures. They also were solid at the line all game, sinking 11 of 13 shots.
 
Six-foot senior post Nicole Kerkhoff paced the Purple & Gold with a game-high 22 points on 7 of 13 shooting. Going 7 of 7 at the line, she was part of an Augie offense that was plus 20 in points in the paint, 42-22.
 
In the backcourt, junior Sydney Rome scored 13, grabbed seven defensive rebounds, handed out six assists and made three of her team's seven triples. Finally, Augie won the battle on the glass, 40-30.
 
UNK was led by Trenton senior guard Laramey Becker, who made two threes to tally a team-best 14. She also had three steals and three rebounds.
 
Next, Grand Island sophomore McKenzie Brown also hit two treys to score 12 with Alabama sophomore post Imani Kyser at 13 points, seven boards (four offensive), two assists, two blocks and two steals.
 
The Lopers host the Midland Warriors Monday night. The two teams went into double overtime last year in Kearney with MU winning 117-115.