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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Haley Simental
Corbey R. Dorsey
53
Washburn WASH 8-7,2-4 MIAA
69
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 16-2,5-2 MIAA
Washburn WASH
8-7,2-4 MIAA
53
Final
69
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB
16-2,5-2 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Washburn WASH 10 18 8 17 53
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 15 16 23 15 69

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Terrific Third Quarter Leads to 69-53 Victory

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team outscored Washburn by 15 points in the third quarter and sophomore reserve forward Elisa Backes had another big effort as the Lopers downed the Ichabods, 69-53, Thursday at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (16-2, 5-2) pushes its win streak to four while WU falls to 8-7 (2-4). This was the only meeting between the two this year.

The 41st meeting between the two was decided right after halftime as UNK outscored the Ichabods by a 23-8 margin. This 10 minute stretch saw UNK shoot 60% (9 of 15) from the field including hitting three triples. Defensively the Lopers held WU to 25% (3 of 12) shooting and suddenly a tight ballgame was a 54-36 blowout. Haley Simental

"In the first and second quarters we'd get a little bit of a lead and then they would go on a 5-0 run. Midway through the third quarter we were finally able to stretch it because we able to string together multiple stops on defense," UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey said. "We also scored on some possessions but the really solid defense was key for us. We created a lot of deflections and steals. Elisa was really good for us … changing shots and forcing turnovers."

Backes (Salina, Kan.), averaging a team-best 12.1 points on 60% shooting over the last 10 games, had a big role in the third period outburst as she scored four points and had a couple of steals. South Dakota sophomore Klaire Kirsch had the hot hand as well, scoring five straight to make it 38-30 and start the big run.

Kirsch scored 10 of her 13 points after they break while pulling down a team-best eight rebounds. She also had four of UNK's 21 assists; the team made 25 baskets. Next Backes had a team-high 16 points, four boards and three steals in just 21 minutes of action.

"I think Elisa is growing and understanding more and more everything that she can do. We've known it for a long time; she is so versatile. She is 6-2, athletic, long, can run, can shoot … she is really talented and is beginning to see it and believe it," Eighmey said.

Finally for the Lopers Iowa sophomore wing Maegan Holt supplied 12 points and four caroms with Colorado point guard Haley Simental dishing out a season-best 11 assists. That is only three off the school record, set by Darcy Stracke in a 1998 game vs. Fort Hays State.

Washburn had three in double figures including starters Alexis McAfee and Mia Castaneda with 12 apiece.

UNK hosts No. 16/18 Emporia State on Saturday afternoon. The short-handed Hornets (12-3, 5-1) were blasted by Fort Hays State on Wednesday, 87-55.

 
Gallery: (9/6/2019) Women's Basketball vs. Washburn (1/20)
 
 
 
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