Kearney, Neb. – Seniors Michaela Barry and McKenzie Brown played well down the stretch and sophomore point guard Jenna Gillespie hit five three pointers to help Nebraska-Kearney slip past Southwest Baptist, 76-67, Thursday night in Bolivar, Mo.

UNK (11-2, 3-2) wins a third straight contest and evens its road record to 2-2. Meanwhile, the Bearcats (8-5, 0-4) lose to the Lopers at home for a second straight season.

Both teams got off to slow starts as UNK had seven first quarter turnovers and SBU missed 13 of its first 15 shots. The Lopers, who finished with 19 turnovers, eventually warmed up, especially from behind the arc. Gillespie (Holdrege) hit all five of her threes over the first 25 minutes to help the Lopers lead 35-31 at the half and 46-35 midway through the third quarter.

An SBU zone slowed UNK's prowess on the perimeter and the 'Cats trailed by just three to start the fourth. Junior guard Morgan Henderson then tallied five in a row to erase a two-point deficit and give her team its first lead, 62-59, since early in the second quarter. The lead grew by another point with just 3:24 left.

That's when Barry (Battle Creek) and Brown (G.I. Northwest) took over. The veterans combined to score all 23 of UNK points over the final 10 minutes, many on runners to the rim.  Down 65-61, Brown converted a three-point play and then Barry hit a long triple to give the Lopers the lead back. The 10-0 run finished with a Barry layup and two free throws from Brown.

"It's the same old story for us; we find a way. Michaela had two fouls in the first half so Kelsey and Jenna step up offensively," said Loper assistant Brandon Rohr. "Down the stretch, we had a good matchup with their four player against Michaela. We tried to slip some screens and put her in one-one-one situations. She and McKenzie just made plays. Your best players have to do that at the end of games."

Brown tallied a game-high 24 points by making 6 of 14 (2 of 3) shots. Sinking a career-high 10 free throws, she also had 12 rebounds (11 defensive) to make this her third career double double. Barry also attempted 14 field goals, making seven of them (2 of 5 threes). Going 5 of 5 at the line, she grabbed six defensive rebounds and overcame some early foul trouble.

"Coach (Carrie) Eighmey does a great job preparing our kids; credit our girls for executing that game plan. It's much harder once you get here than it is during practice," said Rohr.

Scoring a career-best 15 points, Gillespie finished 5 of 6 from the arc with freshman guard Kelsey Sanger (Crofton) reaching double figures (11) for a second straight contest. She also had six rebounds, three assists and just one turnover in 37 minutes.

UNK made the MIAA's leading scorer, senior guard Megan Rosenbohm, work hard for her 14 points. Coming in averaging 22 a night, she ended up making only 4 of 12 shots (0 of 3 threes).

"Kelsey and (reserve guard) Adreon Bell did a great job on Rosenbohm. It was the whole team too; executing assignments, being in gaps, helping where we need to help," said Rohr. "We also had great ball screen coverage too. We really tried to make (Rosebohm) feel uncomfortable as she was coming off those screens and turn her more into of a passer."

For a third straight game, the Lopers made at least half its shots (25 of 50) while sinking 16 of 18 freebies. UNK was plus four on the glass and SBU tallied only 12 points off those 19 miscues.

Kearney heads to 11th-ranked Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The Mules (10-1, 4-0) blasted Fort Hays State tonight, 71-51.