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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
69
Winner Pittsburg State PSU 21-6, 13-5
59
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB 15-11, 8-10
Winner
Pittsburg State PSU
21-6, 13-5
69
Final
59
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB
15-11, 8-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Pittsburg State PSU 17 19 14 19 69
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB 13 8 20 18 59

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Lopers Can't Catch the Ranked Gorillas, 69-59

Kearney, Neb. – Four players scored in double figures and Pittsburg State sunk 21 free throws to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 69-59, Thursday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

The Gorillas (21-6, 13-6), ranked ninth in the latest Central Region Rankings, sweep the season series from the Lopers (15-11, 8-10) and now lead the all-time series between the two, 27-12.

UNK is now tied with Central Oklahoma and Missouri Western State for seventh place in the MIAA standings. The final regular season contest for each comes this Saturday afternoon.

Pitt led for 35 minutes and by as many as 16 points but the Lopers, shooting 62% (8 of 13) in the third quarter, hung around. A three from freshman Maegan Holt (Council Bluffs, Ia.) capped a 7-0 run and made it just a 43-39 deficit with 3:49 left in the third. However, Pitt closed the quarter on a 7-2 spurt and then led by at least five points in the fourth.

"We had a slow start in the first half. Defensively I didn't think we were very attentive to some details … I thought we let their shooters get rhythm shots. And obviously they are really good shooters," said Loper head coach Carrie Eighmey. 34893

Sophomore wing Maya Williams got close to a double double (20 points and nine rebounds) to lead the Gorillas with freshman reserve guard Tristan Gegg having 15 points in 15 minutes. Overall the Pitt reserves amassed 29 points, six boards and five assists.

As a team the Gorillas went 21 of 27 at the line (78%) and overcame an 11-1 hole in second chance points by forcing 13 first half turnovers.

"Anytime you have 13 turnovers in a half you're in an uphill battle because you don't have enough offensive possessions. You're not taking enough shots to score points," said Eighmey. "We limited our mistakes in the second half and were able to produce some offense. We didn't change anything … at half time we reemphasized the fundamentals and attention to details."

Besides Williams and Gegg, junior wing Meghan Maher had 12 points, five boards and five steals and freshman reserve guard Sydnee Craing managed 10 points on five free throws.

"We didn't do a good job of keeping them off the free throw line. You've got to be able to defend without fouling," said Eighmey.

UNK was once again led by freshman forward Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) who had a season-high 24 points. Reaching double figures for a sixth straight contest, she had 18 of her points in the second half and went 11 of 17 from the field.

"She's a tough competitor and has been playing really well of late on both ends of the floor. In the last two games we've asked a lot of her on the offensive end and she's been able to produce and be efficient," said Eighemy.

Finally for the Lopers, Holt had 15 of her 17 points after the break thanks to 5 of 7 (2 of 3 threes) shooting. This marks her third straight double digit effort.

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State on Saturday. The Lions (13-15, 5-13) were blasted by No. 3 Fort Hays State tonight, 79-59.
 
 
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