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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Haley Simental
Paul Pack
60
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 23-2, 12-2 MIAA
52
Lincoln (MO) LU 3-20, 0-14 MIAA
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB
23-2, 12-2 MIAA
60
Final
52
Lincoln (MO) LU
3-20, 0-14 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 12 17 16 15 60
Lincoln (MO) LU 10 9 19 14 52

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Eleventh Straight Win Doesn't Come Easy, 60-52

Kearney, Neb. – The No. 22/25 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball was strong at the end of the first half and to start the second half to hold off Lincoln, 60-52, Thursday night in Jefferson City, Mo.

This was the only meeting between the Lopers (23-2, 12-2) and Blue Tigers (3-20, 0-14) this year. UNK pushes its win streak to 11 straight while LU drops a 12th game in a row.

"I think we were a little flat early and weren't ready to go. We kind of had an idea that might happen … we obviously have a big game on Saturday," UNK assistant coach Devin Eighmey said. "We didn't play through contact. We weren't mentally focused but we won the game and we're happy about that."

UNK built a 17-point third quarter lead thanks to a 15-3 run to close the second quarter and then a 13-6 spurt to start the second half. The Lopers misfired on nine of its first 10 three pointers but managed four during this long run including two by point guard Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.). Her second made it 42-25 with 5:53 left in the third.

However, after a timeout, the Blue Tigers went on an 11-0 run to give themselves a chance until the final minute. The run featured a three-point play by senior guard Kaloni Pryear (game-high 21 points), four missed UNK shots and four of the Lopers 10 turnovers.

"They refused some ball screens and number three (Pryear) went on a run by herself. Missed a couple of layups that led to transition and it got down to four late. You have to respect everybody. This is the MIAA … you have to be ready to deliver every night," Eighmey said.  

A three by Simental stemmed the tide for a bit but LU cut it to a five-point deficit, 49-44, with 6:05 to play after two free throws by freshman guard Natasha Elliott. Lincoln came in shooting 59% at the line but sunk 7 of 9 tonight. After a Blue Tiger turnover Elkhorn sophomore post Brooke Carlson converted a layup to push the lead back to seven and LU didn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

Lincoln hung around thanks to a plus five rebounding margin and big nights from its top two players, Pryear and post Vivian Chigbu. The pair combined to go 16 of 35 from the field with Pryear, in addition to her point total, having six boards and four assists. She did foul out late in the fourth quarter. Chigbu, one of five foreigners on the LU roster, posted a double double (14 pts., 10 rebs.) in 34 minutes of work.

Finishing 6 of 17 from behind the arc, UNK got double digit efforts from Simental (16), Carlson (15) and Iowa sophomore wing Maegan Holt (12). Simental went 3 of 6 from downtown, Carlson recorded a seventh straight double digit effort with Holt making 4 of 5 free throws. Next both Simental and Carlson had four dimes with Carlson falling a rebound short of her third double double.

UNK heads to No. 16/24 Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The Jennies (19-4, 13-1) downed Fort Hays State tonight, 76-69.

"We're going to have to be ready to go on Saturday. It'll be 'Senior Night" and they have two four-year starters. We'll need to be a lot better than tonight," Eighmey said. "It's going to be very physical. It'll be a cool opportunity and it's a great situation that our team has put itself in."

 
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