Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney's veteran trio scored 60 points and three freshmen came up big as well as the Lopers beat Emporia State, 84-79, Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

The streaking Lopers (18-3, 10-3) have won seven straight and nine of 10 to be tied with Pittsburg State for second place in the MIAA. UNK is now 12-0 on the Buckle Court and 11-0 in games decided by 10 points or less.

Emporia (13-7, 8-5), coming off its worst loss in 23 years, has dropped four of five and sees an eight-game win streak over UNK end. The Lopers hadn't beaten the Hornets, a perennial MIAA and Division II power, since the 1999-00 season.

Like Thursday night against Washburn, Kearney led over the final 30 minutes but still had to fight until the end. Shooting over 50 percent in each of the first three quarters, the Lopers led by as many as 11 points and then sunk 18 of 21 free throws in the fourth quarter to keep Emporia at bay.

"Every win in the MIAA feels good but I think this one, especially for players like McKenzie (Brown) and Michaela (Brown) that have played Emporia several times, this one is satisfying. We've struggled against them in the past and we were able to get one today," said UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey.

The Hornets out rebounded the Lopers 43-29 and tallied 22 of its points off 17 o-boards. Holding UNK to 2 of 10 shooting over the final 10 minutes, Emporia went on a 9-2 run to make it a 71-67 score with 4:36 left.

Reserve freshman guard Adreon Bell (Independence, Mo.) countered 25 seconds later with her second and final bucket of the game, a driving layup that broke down the Hornet defense. UNK didn't make another basket but went 11 of 14 at the line to keep at least a five-point cushion.

"She does some really good things for our team. Defensively, Adreon is really good on the ball and gives us some athleticism at the end. Offensively, she is explosive, can get to the rim and is a good shooter. She has given us a boost the last several games," said Eighmey.

Scoring 16 points off 16 ESU turnovers, UNK ended the day 28 of 37 (76 percent) at the line. Individually, senior guard Michaela Barry (21 points, four assists and four rebounds), senior wing McKenzie Brown (25 points and six boards) and graduate transfer Alyssa Frauendorfer (14 points, three rebounds, and two assists) went for 60 points thanks to 26 of 29 free throwing shooting and a 14 of 36 effort (6 of 10 threes) from the field

"McKenzie was incredible today. I can't say enough good things about what she has done over the course of her career. This year, she's stepped into some roles that maybe weren't in her comfort zone. She's willing to do whatever the team needs her to do," said Eighmey.

In 16 minutes, Bell had five points and hounded the Hornets defensively. Fellow reserve freshman Kyleigh Vaught (Smithton, Ill.) had two rebounds, one assist and drew a foul at a key point in the first half and freshman starting guard Kelsey Sanger (Crofton) joined Brown as Lopers to go all 40 minutes. She tallied eight points, four boards and two assists.

Emporia had four starters and a reserve reach double figures. Starting guard Morgan Laudan (13 points and 11 rebounds) had a double double with reserve post Tiana Moala (10 points, five rebounds and two blocks) having a productive 15 minutes.

UNK heads to nationally-ranked Central Oklahoma on Thursday night. The Bronchos (17-5, 8-5) have dropped two straight and were swept by the Lopers last season.