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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
59
Winner Mo. Southern St. MSSU 14-15, 6-13
56
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB 15-13, 8-11
Winner
Mo. Southern St. MSSU
14-15, 6-13
59
Final
56
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB
15-13, 8-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 13 14 18 14 59
Nebraska-Kearney UNKWBB 13 16 14 13 56

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Big Second Half Helps MSSU Claim Last Tourney Spot

Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Southern State Lions got 39 points from its bench and used a big second half run to edge Nebraska-Kearney, 59-56, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

This was the regular season finale for both teams. With today's win, MSSU (14-15, 6-13) secured the 10th and final spot in this year's MIAA Tournament. UNK (15-13, 8-11), in seventh place in the standings for most of the year, ends up in an eighth-place tie with Missouri Western State.  

The Lopers will face MWSU (13-15, 8-11) Wednesday at approximately 6 p.m. in a first round game. In the only meeting between the two this year, UNK managed a 62-53 win at the H & S Center. Kearney is 1-3 all-time in the MIAA Tournament, losing first round games in 2018 (5th-seed/MWSU) and 2017 (8th-seed/Lindenwood).

A defensive struggle for 2.5 quarters, UNK led 39-31 midway through the third before MSSU exploded. They closed on a 14-4 run that included a buzzer-beating three from junior reserve Destiny Cozart. Missouri Southern kept up the pressure early in the fourth, opening up a 59-50 lead with 4:33 to play. This giant spurt of 28-11 was highlighted by three made threes and strong play from 6-2 reserve junior post Jordan Schoenberger.

UNK scored the game's final six points but missed game tying threes at the 47 and three second marks. The last shot was a contested triple from the left wing that hit iron and rebounded by Schoenberger.

"The second part of the third quarter I thought we struggled to get some stops. Into the fourth, we had some turnovers that led to transition possessions for them. That was probably the dagger for us," said Loper head coach Carrie Eighmey. "We did battle back and got some quick scores and had a chance but that early fourth and late third really hurt us."

Cozart (10) led the Lion bench corps in points with four others between five and nine, respectively. This five some also had 23 rebounds, 11 assists, three blocks and two steals. That helped make up for senior star Chelsey Henry (16.2 ppg) who had five turnovers and was limited to seven points on 2 of 16 shooting.

Shooting 36% (22 of 61) from the field and getting out rebounded by one, UNK was once again led by Iowa freshman forward Shiloh McCool. She had her fifth double double of the year (21 points & 10 rebounds) and her seventh straight double digit game.

"We were running stuff through Shiloh (in the fourth) to get her opportunities and drives to the rim. She's been really effective over the course of the last three or four games," said Eighmey.

Next, Iowa freshman forward Maegan Holt (11) had her fourth consecutive double digit game with Kansas senior Jaymie Bernbeck at six rebounds (four offensive) and two steals.

"We've had a couple of tough, close games (this week). We're in the postseason and everyone now starts 0-0. It doesn't matter how you've been playing or how the season has gone for you up to this point. It's a new season and all you have to do is win and advance," said Eighmey.
 
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