Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior guard Laramey Becker scored a game-high 27 points and the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team shot 65 percent in the first half to upset fifth-ranked Missouri Western State, 82-76, Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph.
 
This is the second year in a row the Lopers (10-9, 6-7) have beaten the Griffons (18-1, 12-1). The two only meet once during the regular season.
 
Coming off a 62-32 loss at Northwest Missouri State on Thursday night, UNK completely flipped the script today as they led nearly the entire way and by as many as 19 points.
 
To lead 43-28 at the break, the Lopers were 17 of 26 from the field, including a 5 of 10 effort from behind the arc. The Griffons came in holding teams to 62 points per game and 28% three point shooting.
 
In the second half, Mo West tallied 24 points in both the third and fourth quarters and cut the deficit to five points on four different occasions. However, UNK had a response each time.
 
A three from Grand Island sophomore McKenzie Brown made it 61-53 with 9:11 to play. The MIAA's leading scorer, senior guard LaQuinta Jefferson, converted a layup about three minutes later to make it 64-59 but Arizona junior point guard Alexa Hogberg responded with a layup of her own with 5:03 left.
 
The Griffons last gasp came with a minute to go as reserve Julia Torres made a three and then Dwanisha Tate stole inbounds pass. Reserve Melia Richardson quickly followed with a layup but missed the ensuing free throw, keeping it 76-71.
 
In the end, UNK went 6 of 10 at the line to secure the win. Both teams struggled at the charity stripe, the Lopers going 15 of 22 (68%) and the Griffons ending 14 of 28. 
 
"We just tried to move on as a team from Thursday," said UNK assistant coach Brandon Rohr.  "I'm proud on we prepared, proud how we executed, proud how tough we were. This was a great team effort." 
 
Having its second best shooting day of the season (55.8%), Kearney also dominated on the glass, 37-24. The Griffons came in with a plus four rebounding margin.
 
Fifteen offensive rebounds led to 20 second chance points and countered the Lopers 20 turnovers.
 
"We bought into what we were going to do and everybody played a key part. This team is getting stronger by the day," said Rohr. "We learned from what happened in the past (close loss at then No.-1 Fort Hays State). Today, we had a lot of poise down the stretch."
 
Becker reached her point total by going 10 of 16 from the floor (5 of 9 threes). She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds (six defensive) and had two of UNK's six steals.
 
Next, Hogberg was 6 of 8 from the field (3 of 3 threes) to score 16 while also handing out five assists. Inside, Kansas senior Bri Starks (12) was in double digits for the seventh time as a Loper. Off the bench, Lincoln freshman post Kennedy Sander had seven points, four boards (three offensive) and two assists.
 
Jefferson, who scored 40 in Kearney last year, was limited to 19 today, four below her season average. She was 7 of 15 from the field and 5 of 6 at the line while also having three dimes and two offensive rebounds.
 
Finally, three Griffon reserves scored in double figures, led by Tate with 14.
 
UNK is off until next Saturday when they host current No. 3 Hays. The Tigers are now 17-2 (11-2) after a 61-46 win at Northwest