Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Colorado Christian Cougars shot 53 percent from the field and tallied 23 points off 15 turnovers to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 75-65, Saturday afternoon in Lakewood, Colo.

CCU (1-2) gets its first win of the year while UNK falls to 1-3.

The Cougars, an RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conf.) member, basically led from start to finish as they had four starters score in double figures. While UNK's reserves outscored CCU's by a 30-6 margin, the Lopers couldn't overcome another cold shooting night (37.7%).

Christian led 16-10 after the first quarter and 37-27 at the break. UNK did make six of 10 shots in the third quarter but never got the deficit under seven points in the second half.

A balanced CCU attack was led by 6-2 senior forward Claire Paxton (18 points & five rebounds) and 5-10 sophomore guard Mikala Gordon (15 points, & eight rebounds). The 'Cougs went 29 of 55 from the field (2 of 2 threes) to overcome a minus six rebounding margin and seven missed free throws.

For UNK, Battle Creek junior guard Michaela Barry made four free throws and four field goals to score a team-high 13. Fellow starters Courtney Aitken (Dannebrog) and Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.) both finished with 10 points and combined for eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.  

Off the bench, South Dakota senior Kelsey Fitzgerald had another busy game. Over 27 minutes she had 12 points, eight rebounds, an assist, block and steal. Finally, Grand Island junior guard McKenzie Brown made three triples to score 11.

UNK hosts the Northern State Wolves (3-0) Monday night.