Box Score Kearney, Neb. – A fast start and solid defense helped the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team stun ninth-ranked Central Oklahoma, 55-52, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK improves to 8-14 (4-10) while the Bronchos (20-3, 11-3) drop a second straight game and suffer its first road loss (13-1).

Down by as many as 15 points in the second half, UCO came back as they held UNK to nine points in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth. However, UNK made 4 of 6 free throws in the final 26 seconds and then saw Broncho starter Marley Anderson miss three straight three pointers in the last 11 seconds.

"I think we made them take shots they didn't want to take, especially in the first half," said Loper head coach Carrie Eighmey. "Defensively, we were pretty efficient and limited their opportunities. Offensively, we had nine assists in the first half. That's higher than we have had in some games. We moved the ball really well."

Leading almost from start to finish, the Lopers jumped on the 'Chos from the opening tip, holding leads of 11-5, 17-7 and 33-21. A three from junior guard Michaela Barry (Norfolk Catholic) started the second half but UCO slowly whittled the deficit down to a single point, 51-50.

A three from veteran Olivia Mason was swatted out of bounds by sophomore reserve post Imani Kyser (Madison, Ala.) with 49 seconds left. Six-five junior post Jesheon Cooper missed a bunny in the lane soon after and then the Lopers made its way to the line to increase its lead.

Barry tallied 17 of her game-high 22 points in the first half. She finished 9 of 22 (3 of 9 threes) from the floor and 1 of 1 at the line. Playing a team-high 36 minutes, she also had three assists and no turnovers.

No other Loper reached double figures but Kyser, Missouri senior post Nieka Wheeler and Lincoln freshman guard Grace Barry combined for 16 points off the bench. Among other UNK starters, Dannebrog senior Courtney Aitken had eight rebounds, three assists and three steals with South Dakota senior Kelsey Fitzgerald at eight points, four boards and three steals.

"Courtney is the doer of all things no one ever gives her credit it for. She's a great screener, she's a great rebounder and she's always guarding one of the best players on the other team. She does all the dirty work and doesn't want or take any of the credit," said Eighmey. "She's extremely valuable for our team."

A balanced UCO attack was led by starter Blake Bessington's 15 points and six rebounds. The 'Chos started the game 1 of 11 from the field with five turnovers

UNK hosts Northeastern State Saturday afternoon. The RiverHawks (6-16, 2-12) fell at Fort Hays State tonight, 77-44.