Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Five players scored in double figures to help the top-ranked Emporia State Hornets beat Nebraska-Kearney, 75-50, Thursday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

ESU is now 9-0 (1-0) while the Lopers fall to 3-7 (0-3).

Coming in with a 40-point margin of victory, the Hornets were up by just a 17-10 score after the first quarter. However, Emporia led 35-16 at the break as they made 8 of 14 shots in the second quarter while UNK slipped to a 3 of 14 effort.

"I thought early on, defensively, we were okay," said UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey. "As the game wore on, we let them get to the basket a little bit easier than we wanted to. They also had a couple of sets that we struggled with."

Using a series of runners, layups and a size advantage, Emporia outscored UNK 56-14 in the paint. While the Lopers held its own on the boards, 33-30, they ended with a 32.1 field goal percentage. Emporia came in allowing 54.2 points per game on 30.8 percent shooting.

"Offensively, we got some of the looks we wanted but weren't able to knock those down. They are a good defensive team and you're not going to get whatever you want but I thought, early on, we executed," said Eighmey. 

Starters Kyrstie Miller (14), Kelly Moten (13) and Addie Lackey (10) all reached double digits, as did reserves Shelby Baker (14) and Jessica Wayne (10). Going just 1 for 2 from the three point line, Emporia shot 56% from the field.

Finally, Miller (eight) led the team in rebounds with Megan Holloway having a team-high five assists.

For UNK, junior guard Michaela Barry (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) tallied a team-best 16 on 6 of 12 (1 of 4 threes) shooting. She also grabbed five defensive boards and had two of UNK's four steals.

Next, Dannebrog senior wing Courtney Aitken did a bit of everything (10 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal) with Grand Island junior McKenzie Brown hitting two triples to score eight.

UNK hosts the Washburn Ichabods (6-3) Saturday. WU fell at Fort Hays State, 67-64, Wednesday night.