Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Five players scored in double figures and Nebraska-Kearney shut down Southwest Minnesota State, 74-50, Thursday night in Marshall, Minn.
The Lopers even their record at 2-2 while the Mustangs, coached by former Loper All-American Allison Kruger, drop to 0-3.
UNK dominated the first half, scoring 19 points in the first quarter and 23 more in the second. SMSU, meanwhile, shot 26% to trail 42-18 at the break.
The Lopers cooled a bit in the second half but it wasn't enough for the Mustangs to make a serious run. Overall, Kearney led by as many as 27 points as they committed just nine turnovers and had a plus 10 rebounding margin, 42-32.
A balanced attack was led by Lincoln freshman post reserve
Kennedy Sander, who tallied a team-best 16 on 8 of 13 shooting. In 23 minutes, the Pius X graduate also grabbed two offensive boards and had an assist. Through four games, Sander is averaging 11.3 points per game and shooting 63% from the field.
Four starters reached double digits, including Trenton senior guard
Laramey Becker (14) and Kansas senior forward
Bri Starks (11).This group combined for 46 points on 17 of 37 shooting, including 7 of 18 from behind the arc.
Next, Starks (eight) was one of five Lopers to grab at least five rebounds with Arizona junior point guard
Alexa Hogberg having a team-high six assists.
UNK ended up shooting 46% (31 of 67) from the floor, 13 points higher than SMSU. The Mustangs also turned the ball over 16 times.
The Lopers remain on the road to face Chadron State Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Central.
