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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Betty Backes
Corbey R. Dorsey
70
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 20-6,15-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
49
Lincoln (MO) Linc 5-21,1-19 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
20-6,15-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
70
Final
49
Lincoln (MO) Linc
5-21,1-19 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 18 23 17 12 70
Lincoln (MO) Linc 10 11 13 15 49

Next Game:

NW Missouri State

2/23/2022 | 5:30 p.m.

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 23 (Wed) / 5:30 p.m.
 NW Missouri State
History

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Lopers Roll in Jeff City, Reach 20 W's Again

Kearney, Neb. – Junior forward Elisa Backes scored 20 in the first half and redshirt sophomore forward Shiloh McCool posted a double double to help Nebraska-Kearney breeze by Lincoln, 70-49, Saturday afternoon in Jefferson City, Mo.

The Lopers reach 20 wins for the third straight season and for the fourth time in the last five years. This also marks the 20th 20-win season in UNK history.

"Proud of our effort. I thought we got some nice separation right before the half … we had talked about the last three minutes being crucial," said Loper assistant coach Devin Eighmey on the KRVN radio post-game show. "We didn't want to have a let up in the third quarter either. That quarter has been pretty difficult for us this year."

UNK (20-6, 15-5) downed the Blue Tigers (5-21, 1-19) for a 10th straight time as it made 16 of its first 32 shots to lead 41-21 at the break. Backes (Salina, Kan.) caused the most damage as she went 6 of 9 from the field (4 of 5 3's) and 4 of 5 at the line. McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) also was solid in the early going, having 10 points and six boards over the first 20 minutes. She made five of her first six shots with UNK ending the day with a sizeable 34-16 advantage in paint points.

"We did a good job defensively and were able to handle the make-miss stuff. On makes, they were going with a 3-2 or a 1-2-2 zone. On misses, they would go back to man," said Eighmey. "It's great to get a win and we needed to play well as Thursday (loss at Central Missouri) was super disappointing."

Lincoln, who lost to nationally-ranked Fort Hays State by just seven points on Thursday night, never got closer than 18 in the second half.  The Blue Tigers ended up at 32% from the field and was minus 19 on the glass. UNK cooled off in the fourth quarter to shoot 44% but sank 7 of 17 triple attempts.

Both Backes and McCool were 7 of 14 from the field with Backes at a game-best 22 points. McCool (16 points & 11 rebounds) had her seventh double double of the year with the board total including seven on the offensive end. Next, South Dakota junior wing Klaire Kirsch had 11 rebounds and four points with South Dakota junior guard Trinity Law at eight points in 23 minutes off the bench. Finally, the Lopers used 12 different players with eight scoring.

"We went 9-2 on the road this season and that's impressive in this league," said Eighmey. "We have two games left and those are really going to be important."

LU was led by starting forwards Mercy Gonzalez (10 rebounds & seven points) and Imani Jones (11 points).

UNK hosts Northwest Missouri (Wed.) and Missouri Western (Fri.) next week to finish up the regular season.
 
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Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

G/F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Trinity Law

#23 Trinity Law

G
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G/F
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Trinity Law

#23 Trinity Law

5' 9"
Freshman
G