Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior guard Laramey Becker had another all-around effort and junior forward Kelsey Fitzgerald was big off the bench as Nebraska-Kearney shook off a slow start to beat Southwest Baptist, 64-52, Thursday night on the Buckle Court at the Health & Sports.
 
The win helps the Lopers (11-10, 7-8) sweep the season series from the Bearcats (12-9, 7-8). Washburn also is 7-8 and thus in a three-way tie for eighth place in the MIAA standings.
 
Both teams got off to subzero starts, combining for 15 first quarter points. UNK was down 6-0 right off the bat and missed 19 of its first 22 shots.
 
However, SBU wasn't hot either and also was committing turnovers. The Lopers, down 9-6 after 10 minutes, moved ahead for good after a Becker (Trenton) three made it 13-12 with 6:35 left in the half.
 
Prior to the break, Fitzgerald (Yankton, S.D.) came off the bench to provide eight points and four rebounds (three offensive). This is when UNK took control, outscoring the 'Cats by a 43-24 margin over the second and third quarters.
 
While the Lopers shot 46% in the second half, SBU remained cold, ending the night with a 34% (15 of 44) effort. Nearly half their makes were threes with 22 turnovers, 11 via steal, resulting in 17 Kearney points.
 
Finally, UNK had 14 second chance points as they grabbed 12 o-boards. Fitzgerald had half this total and almost recorded a double double, ending with season-highs in points (14) and rebounds (nine).
 
"Kelsey was really good tonight. We kind of had an idea she would be good in the game, matchup wise," said Hofstetter. "Their posts players are really mobile and play a lot on the perimeter. And that's kind of Kelsey's game and she stepped up in played some great minutes for us. She got our offense going in the first half and is always a good defender."
 
Becker tallied 17 of her game-high 20 points in the second half. She didn't miss after the break, going 6 of 6 from the field (3 of 3 threes) and 3 of 3 at the line. Becker also led UNK in assists (five) and steals (four) while tied for the lead in minutes (31).
 
"Laramey is getting more attention from defenses. They are doing a lot of face guarding and not leaving her," said Hofstetter. "She did a good job tonight of being patient, waiting for her time and the right opportunities."
 
Next, sophomore reserve guard Courtney Aitken (Dannebrog) had seven rebounds (six defensive), two blocks and two points before fouling out with freshman reserve post Kennedy Sander (Lincoln Pius X) tallying four points in seven minutes.
 
For the 'Cats, reserve Megan Rosenbohm had a team-high 11 points. Silver Lake High graduate and starter Mackenzie Skupa finished with eight points, six boards and a steal.
 
UNK hosts Central Missouri (8-12, 7-8) Saturday at 1:30 p.m.