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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

UNK WBB
Corbey R. Dorsey
76
Winner Fort Hays St. FHSU 17-2,11-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
63
Neb.-Kearney UNK 16-4,11-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Fort Hays St. FHSU
17-2,11-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
76
Final
63
Neb.-Kearney UNK
16-4,11-3 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fort Hays St. FHSU 15 14 25 22 76
Neb.-Kearney UNK 21 18 16 8 63

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Big Second Half Propels Tigers

Kearney, Neb. – The No. 6/7 Fort Hays State Tigers shot 62 percent in the second half to rally past No. 12/17 Nebraska-Kearney, 76-63, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

This game had MIAA and Central Region implications with the Tigers (17-2, 11-2) now having won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the two in Kearney. The Lopers (16-4, 11-3), who won at Hays back in December, are now 8-3 on Buckle Court.

UNK erased an early 13-11 deficit by going on a 20-4 run to grab its biggest lead of the day at 31-17. During this stretch late in the first quarter and early into the second, the Lopers got big contributions from reserves Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.), Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) and Sarah Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.). However, the Tigers stopped the bleeding a bit to trail by a 39-29 score at the break.

"Offensively in the first half we were in rhythm. We were doing exactly what we wanted to do, what we planned to do," said UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey. "Second half we had a really hard time getting looks in the paint. Overall, transition defense is where we struggled and that changed the momentum of the game."

To score the most points by a Loper opponent this year, Hays tallied 25 points in the third quarter and 22 more in the fourth. They got the deficit down to two midway through the third and after UNK responded with a quick five points, grabbed the lead back at 54-53 thanks to two free throws from reserve Lauren West. Kearney led at the end of the quarter but the Tigers dominated the final 10 minutes, holding a double digit lead for the final 1:39. The Blue & Gold finished 9 of 27 from the floor in the second half and were 3 of 17 from the triple line on the afternoon. 

"Several things happened to us in the third quarter. First, they ran a full-court press, a 1-2-2. It didn't surprise us because we knew it was going to come at some point. But it got us out of rhythm and ate up some of the shot clock," said Eighmey. "It got us out of what we were doing (successfully in the first half) and changed our shot selection. That change led to transition for them and that's where they thrive."  

Against one of Division II's top defensive units, the Tigers made 26 of 55 shots (47%) including a solid 9 of 19 effort from behind the arc. They also sunk 15 of 17 freebies, committed just six turnovers and got 36 bench points. Katie Dilsaver (14), Cydney Bergmann (nine) and West (seven) caused the most damage off the pine with three starters – Jaden Hobbs, Katie Wagner and Whitney Randall – warming up to combine for 35 more points.

"First half we didn't let them play in transition. Second half they hit four threes in the third quarter and I'm pretty sure all of them came in transition," said Eighmey. "They also had some kids hit some shots that quite frankly aren't shooters. That happens and defensively you have to adjust to those things."

Backes (14), Schmitt (11) and McCool (11) each reached double digits for UNK. The trio combined to go 13 of 23 from the field; the rest of the Lopers combined for 12 buckets. McCool (six) and Schmitt (five) went for a combined 11 boards with starting wing Klaire Kirsch (Rapid City, SD) at eight caroms, six points and three dimes.

UNK heads to Central Oklahoma and Newman next weekend.
 
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