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KEARNEY, Neb. — Despite an 0-4 start, the University of Nebraska at Kearney women’s team had one bright spot — its 80-percent free-throw shooting.
That skill came in handy as the Lopers broke into the win column Friday night with a 86-74 victory over previously undefeated New Mexico Highlands.
In a contest that included a combined 76 free throws, the Lopers (1-4 overall, 1-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) made 31 of 40 to maintain a double-digit lead most of the way.
“When you’re losing, everything is magnified, but we knew it’s never as bad as you think it is,” UNK coach Carol Russell said. “These girls deserved this win. They’ve worked very hard.”
A quick start didn’t hurt.
UNK built a 31-21 lead in the first half and Russell said, “I was thinking, ‘Can this game end now?’
While the Lopers got off to a quick start, the Cowgirls stumbled, making two of their first 20 shots.
“We’re trying to turn the program around and even though we came in 5-0, we didn’t really know what to expect playing a conference game on the road. We played tense and let the moment get to us,” Highlands coach Tiffany Darling said.
The Lopers’ quick start was in part a response to a pair of starting lineup changes. Junior post Megan Becker made her first start in nearly a year, and produced what Russell called a “phenomenal” performance — 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Tessa Kreutzer took one of the guard spots because Russell was looking for more speed and someone who could push the tempo.
“We were 0-4, so it was time for a change,” Russell said. “And we knew it was only a matter of time before Megan Becker shook the rust off.”
Becker wasn’t alone with a double double. Vanessa Leeper added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Kelsey Lane, who surrendered her starting spot to Becker, came off the bench to score 12 points and grab seven rebounds.
Kim Thissen netted 10 points to give the Lopers 40 points in the paint.
“We relied too much on our perimeter game. They pounded it inside and our post players didn’t show up tonight,” Darling said.
The Cowgirls had three players in double figures, led by guards Oliana Seanoa with 18 and Jessica Armijo with 16. But they were 7 of 22 from 3-point range.
UNK had a fifth player in double figures, guard Debi Johnson, who scored 13. She and Leeper hit the Lopers’ only 3-pointers as UNK was 3 for 7 from behind the arc.
“We took a lot fewer threes tonight and we scored a lot more points than we ever did. I think our kids are starting to understand what our strength is,” Russell said.
UNK men roll to victory
KEARNEY, Neb. — The University of Nebraska at Kearney men’s basketball team used some torrid shooting and a big second half run to beat New Mexico Highlands 101-90 Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
Both teams are 5-2. In the preseason polls, the Cowboys were picked to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Last year, they won 20 games after winning just once during the 2007-08 campaign.
UNK erased an early 21-13 deficit to grab a 33-25 advantage late in the first half. However, only a 3 from junior reserve Brian Ridgeway allowed the Lopers to lead at the break, 36-35.
Things stayed close in the second half until the 15:42 mark when UNK got hot and went on a 17-5 run to open up an 18-point lead, 68-50. At one point, UNK was 16 of 20 from the field (80.0 percent) while Highlands was just 8 of 33 (24 percent).
The key spurt featured back-to-back 3s from sophomore reserve Chris Deans and also triples from junior starters Jeremy Cruise and Max Froehlich. Highlands did cut the lead to 10 points on several occasions but UNK went 32 of 43 at the line to hold off the comeback attempt.
Senior center Josiah Parker continues his fine season by scoring 21 points on 10 of 15 field goal shooting with freshman guard Akeem Morissaint making four 3s and going 9 of 12 at the line to tally a season-high 23 points. Froehlich had 18 of his 20 points in the second half and also grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, his first career double-double.
For Highlands, senior guard Roman Andrade was 13 of 26 from the floor to tally 36 points. Since the 1999-00 season, only three other players have tallied more points against the Lopers. Midaugas Markevicius had a double double (22 points, 11 rebounds).
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