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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Klaire Kirsch
Corbey R. Dorsey
76
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 15-2,15-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
57
Northeastern St. NE 5-13,5-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
15-2,15-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
76
Final
57
Northeastern St. NE
5-13,5-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 19 13 21 23 76
Northeastern St. NE 11 23 9 14 57

Next Game:

at Rogers State

2/13/2021 | 1:30 p.m.

River 93.1 KRVN FM & 106.9 FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 13 (Sat) / 1:30 p.m.
at Rogers State
History

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Strong Second Half Helps UNK Beat NSU, 76-57

Kearney, Neb. – Junior forward Elisa Backes scored 28 points and three others reached double figures as No. 13/15 Nebraska-Kearney pulled away from Northeastern State, 76-57, Thursday night in Tahlequah, Okla.

UNK is now 15-2 while the NSU RiverHawks drop to 5-13. The Lopers join Fort Hays State and Central Missouri atop the MIAA standings; UCM visits Buckle Court next Thursday.

The Lopers, who tallied a season-high 75 points last Thursday vs. Central Oklahoma, led for nearly the entire first half but NSU hit the glass hard to lead 34-32 at the break. UNK shot 55% (13 of 24) over the first 20 minutes but gave up nine offensive boards, leading to 14 NSU points.

"They had nine offensive rebounds, 14 second chance points and then 10 points from the free throw line. Second quarter they had o-board, after o-board, after o-board. It was nothing more than you need to find bodies or you're not going to win basketball games. We talked about that at halftime and made the adjustment," UNK assistant coach Devin Eighmey said on the KRVN radio post-game show.

Things evened up on the glass in the second half with UNK's nationally-ranked defense showing up once again, limiting the 'Hawks to just 23 points. The Lopers then really put things away by sinking 10 of 12 shots (83%) in the fourth quarter.

NSU erased a 23-13 first half deficit after Backes (Salina, Kan.) was whistled for her second foul. She only picked up one more while going 12 of 17 from the field and 4 of 5 at the line. Also having five steals, four boards and an assist, Backes had a career-best 30 last Thursday vs. UCO.

"We had great stops in the third quarter and then had a really great fourth quarter. Other than the second quarter we were good defensively and then offensively we just needed to finish some things. We were shooting 55 percent at the half but didn't have a ton of attempts," Eighmey said. " We did a better job in the second half of eliminating self inflicted stuff."

Outside of Backes junior post Brooke Carlson (14), graduate transfer point guard Haley Simental (11) and junior wing Klaire Kirsch (10) combined for 35 points. Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) sunk UNK's only three, Carlson (Elkhorn) was 6 of 10 from the field with Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) grabbing a team-best eight boards and having five assists. Finally, UNK shot 71% (17 of 24) at the line, had 44 paint points and got 26 points off 18 NSU turnovers.

"Elisa is player. She's worked at and it's a credit to her," Eighmey said. "We're fortunate to have her on our team. She brings people together and is the ultimate team player."  

NSU senior guard Cenia Hayes went for 21 points, four boards and three steals with three others between eight and nine points.

The Lopers head to Rogers State Saturday afternoon. The Hillcats (5-12) fell tonight to Hays, 71-56. 
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Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

G/F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Brooke Carlson

#45 Brooke Carlson

C
6' 1"
Sophomore
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

G
5' 8"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G/F
Brooke Carlson

#45 Brooke Carlson

6' 1"
Sophomore
C
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

5' 8"
Graduate Student
G