Skip To Main Content

University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Haley Simental
Nicole Heitmann/FHSU
72
Winner Missouri Western MW 23-9,14-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
59
Neb.-Kearney UNK 24-8,17-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Missouri Western MW
23-9,14-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
72
Final
59
Neb.-Kearney UNK
24-8,17-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Missouri Western MW 14 21 14 23 72
Neb.-Kearney UNK 22 8 16 13 59

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Griffs Take Round Three, Win NCAA 2nd Round Game

Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State Griffons had two starters and two reserves score in double figures to down Nebraska-Kearney, 72-59, in NCAA Tournament second round game Saturday night in Hays, Kan.

The seventh-seeded Griffs (23-9) advance to the Central Regional final where they'll face either top-seed Fort Hays State or fifth-seed St. Cloud State Monday night. Sixth-seeded UNK ends the season at 24-8 and sees a six-game win streak over MWSU come to an end as well.

"Really proud of our team … it's not easy to make a regional tournament. It's a tough road in our league and we had a long season with a lot of adversity," said Loper head coach Carrie Eighmey. "We had a couple of opportunities to maybe pack it in during a couple of stretch where we were struggling. Our kids are just too high character and they just kept battling, got some things turned around and made a good late run."  Betty Backes

The Lopers came out on fire, hitting 9 of their first 15 shots, to lead 20-6 about eight minutes in. UNK hit three triples during this stretch, two from guard Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.), with reserve forward Maegan Holt (Council Bluffs, Ia.) adding five points.

However, the Lopers totaled 39 points the rest of the way as they had a seven-minute stretch encompassing the first and second quarters with one made field. After the hot start, they finished 14 of 48 from the field (29%).

"Missouri Western played really well tonight. They shot the ball well and had a couple of kids come in, role players, that made a huge difference in the game," said Eighmey.

MWSU used a 33-10 run from the end of the first quarter to the early part of the second half to open up a 39-30 lead. UNK responded by scoring the next eight, the last three on another Simental triple. Things were tied at 42 soon after but the Griffs went on a 12-6 run to open up a six-point lead. It was 57-53 by the media timeout but Mo West sunk 12 of 15 free throws to keep the Lopers at bay. UNK also shot 28% (5 of 17) over the final 10 minutes, including a 1 of 7 effort from behind the arc.

"Offensively we didn't shoot the ball well enough to win the game. We had some looks .. early we had some good possessions. A stretch in the second really hurt us and again in the fourth. Both of those quarters we struggled offensively," said Eighmey. "That put a lot of pressure on our defense to get stops."

Sophomore guard Brionna Budgetts (17 points, seven rebounds, three assists) paced the Griffs with fellow starter Corbyn Cunningham (12 points and nine boards) close to a double double. Next, freshmen guards Alyssa Bonilla and Josie Weishaar came off the bench and combined for 29 points, 10 rebounds and three dimes.

"Both of us tried to play the way we typically play all season long. Early on they got caught doubling our forwards and Haley hit a couple of shots. They stopped doing that and played us more one-on-one in there," said Eighmey. "Not any huge adjustments by either team. Tonight they did it a little bit better than we did."

UNK was plus five on the glass after the first quarter but the Griffs ended up with a 42-35 advantage. They also shot 47% from the field and tallied 38 paint points, mainly on drives to the rim.

Simental had a team-best 13 points for the Lopers, making those three triples, with forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) 12 points and five fouls drawn. Six other scored including South Dakota wing Klaire Kirsch (eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds).

"What did concern me about yesterday (MWSU's 111-77 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State) was they way they were shooting the basketball. They have some confidence offensively and they also played well in the MIAA Tournament," said Eighmey.

This was the seventh and final year of college basketball for Simental with graduate transfer Grace O'Neill (Boulder, Colo.) UNK's other graduation loss to be.
 
Print Friendly Version