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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Maegan Holt
Corbey R. Dorsey
40
Newman Newman 3-13,3-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
60
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 14-2,14-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Newman Newman
3-13,3-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
40
Final
60
Neb.-Kearney UNK
14-2,14-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Newman Newman 16 8 6 10 40
Neb.-Kearney UNK 13 12 10 25 60

Next Game:

at Northeastern State

2/11/2021 | 5:30 p.m.

River 93.1 KRVN FM & 106.9 FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 11 (Thu) / 5:30 p.m.
at Northeastern State
History

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Late Threes & Freebies Equal 60-40 Win

Story Links

Kearney, Neb. – Junior post Brooke Carlson had a double double and No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney went six for six from the three-point in the fourth quarter to pull away from Newman, 60-40, Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (14-2) sweeps the season series from the Jets (3-13) and holds an opponent under 50 points a fifth time.

It was anything but easy against a methodical NU squad that uses a tough zone defense throughout. Allowing just 63 points on the season, the Jets led 16-13 after the first quarter and then hung around until a 15-0 game-ending run by the Lopers. That spurt was fueled by three triples and four made free throws as NU head coach Darin Spence was dinged with two technical fouls.

Carlson (Elkhorn) had a team-high 11 points thanks to four buckets and three free throws while tying her career-high in rebounds (13). UNK started 3 of 19 from behind the arc but didn't miss over the final 7:52.

"We finally were able to hit some shots. I thought we took and had some really good ones early. They were on-line but maybe front of the rim, back of the rim. If a few of those goes down  maybe it's a different game," UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey said. "They did a good job of not allowing us high post catches. Anytime in a 2-3 zone that's the area (high post) you want to get the ball to. They also were double teaming our post touches."

Newman had a golden chance to cut into a 39-36 deficit with six minutes to go but missed three shots in the paint and then went one of two at the line. Point guard Haley Simental (Pueblo, Colo.) stuck a three from the left wing followed by triple from junior forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.). Suddenly the Lopers had its biggest lead of the night, 45-37, and never looked back.  

"We turned the ball over 16 times. Anytime you're able to defend in the half-court you don't want to give them opportunities in transition. That one late (39-36) … it was great effort on our part not to give up an easy (layup) there. That says a lot about our kids and our mindset defensively."

The technical free throws came when UNK was up 48-40 and then 52-40. Neman was scoreless over the final 3:13, missing three shots and having a turnover. They finished up at just 29.4% (15 of 51) from the field while seeing the Lopers tally 27 points of their 16 turnovers.

"It's the same story … we defended well enough to keep ourselves in the game even when we weren't shooting. You hold a team to 40 points and you feel like you have a chance to win," Eighmey said. "

UNK had seven others besides Carlson score including 10 apiece for Simental and South Dakota junior Klaire Kirsch. Simental went 4 of 4 at the line and hit two threes with Kirsch knocking down two long range shots as well. Finally, Crofton senior Kelsey Sanger had nine points and three boards with South Dakota guard Trinity Law at five points, three dimes and three rebounds.

Newman was paced by post Faith Mason-Vestal (11 points and six rebounds).

The Lopers head to Northeastern State (4-12) and Rogers State (5-11) next weekend.

 
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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
Kelsey Sanger

#32 Kelsey Sanger

G
5' 8"
Junior
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

G
5' 8"
Graduate Student
Trinity Law

#23 Trinity Law

G
5' 9"
Freshman

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
Kelsey Sanger

#32 Kelsey Sanger

5' 8"
Junior
G
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

5' 8"
Graduate Student
G
Trinity Law

#23 Trinity Law

5' 9"
Freshman
G