Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State Griffons used a big second quarter to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 55-51, Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph, Mo.

The defending MIAA Champions, MWSU improves to 14-5 (5-6) while UNK slips to 5-12 (1-8).

Having three starters score in double figures, the Griffons outscored the Lopers 22-11 in the second 10 minutes. UNK led 16-10 after the first quarter but committed half of its 14 turnovers in the second to fall behind for good.

Kearney did hang around all afternoon, never trailing by more than seven points. Down 43-41 at the end of the third quarter, the Lopers got two free throws from junior guard Michaela Barry (Battle Creek) to make it 52-49 with 49 seconds remaining.

UNK possibly had a chance to tie things up but the Griffons grabbed an offensive rebounds with 22 seconds to go. After one made free throw, MWSU rebounded the second and that led to two more free throws and a 55-49 lead.

Shooting 36% from the field, the Griffons got 15 points and four rebounds from guard Dwanisha Tate and 14 points and six boards from guard Chelsea Dewey.

For the Lopers, Barry (15) and Grand Island junior McKenzie Brown (14) combined for 29 points on 11 of 27 shooting. They were a combined 0 for 8 from the three point line; as a team, UNK went 0 for 12 on the day.

Off the bench, Alabama junior forward Imani Kyser had two points and a season-high 12 rebounds (10 defensive) in 19 minutes.

UNK hosts Lindenwood and Lincoln next weekend.