Kearney, Neb. – Senior guard Michaela Barry made two left-handed baskets, the second coming with five seconds left, and then recorded a steal to seal Nebraska-Kearney's 66-65 win over Northeastern State Saturday afternoon in Tahlequah.

The Lopers (19-4, 11-4) are in sole possession of third place in the MIAA while the RiverHawks (9-13, 5-10) lose a fifth straight game. 

In a season of close calls and heart stoppers, UNK found a way to win another one. Senior guard McKenzie Brown (G.I. Northwest) carried Kearney for most of the day, scoring a career-high 34 points, with Barry starring late.

Down 44-34 with three minutes left in the third quarter, the Lopers used a 20-6 run to not only erase the deficit but also grab the lead back. A 2-2-1 full-court press and 2-3 zone aided the comeback which made it 54-50 with six minutes to play.

NSU, however, countered with a 6-0 spurt to regain the lead and then came back from a 59-56 hole. Junior center Joi Bertrand, a 45 percent free throw shooter, was fouled in the post and made two free throws with 36 seconds left to break a 63-all tie.

Held scoreless in the first half, Barry (Battle Creek) made the first of her two off-hand shots nine seconds later, getting fouled in the process. She made the freebie but Bertrand, standing 6-2, made a shot in the lane with 24 seconds left. With 3:53 left, UNK saw starting post Alyssa Frauendorfer (Humphrey) foul out for the second straight game.

UNK called timeout to advance the ball up court. Once again, Barry's number was called at the end of a game and she again went to her left hand to sink the game winner. NSU also advanced the ball up court but Barry was there to steal it and she then raced down court as time expired.

"I can't say enough about the determination of this team. Both Michaela and McKenzie work so hard it's not surprising to see them play well when it matters most," said Loper assistant Brandon Rohr.

The Lopers got off to a very slow start, committing 11 first half turnovers and tallying just 24 points over the first 20 minutes. Luckily, NSU wasn't hot either as they were just 8 of 28 from the field. They did shoot 60 percent (16 of 27; 4 of 8 threes) after the break but also committed nine turnovers. Overall, UNK tallied 21 of its points off 17 'Hawk miscues.

Having her first 30-point effort as a Loper, Brown was 12 of 23 (6 of 11 threes) from the floor and 4 of 4 at the line. Scoring 13 in the fourth quarter, she also had five defensive rebounds and a steal in 36 minutes. Brown's previous career-high of 28 points came last month in a win at Ft. Hays State. 

Barry tallied 16 after halftime thanks to six free throws and five buckets. Not surprisingly, she also was good in the fourth quarter, scoring eight and having two assists and two steals. Finally for UNK, Crofton freshman Kelsey Sanger had nine rebounds (three offensive), four points, two assists and two steals with Lincoln sophomore reserve guard Grace Barry tallying two points, two assists and two boards in 22 minutes.

Bertrand (13) and fellow starter Bailee Eldred scored 25 for NSU. Bertand also had nine rebounds and three blocks.

Central Oklahoma and NSU come to Kearney next weekend.