January 17, 2004

Women's Basketball Routs Western

Lopers Shoot Season-High 59 percent

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team rebounded from a rare home loss by shooting a season-high 59.3 percent from the field in a 89-56 rout of Western State at the Health & Sports Center Saturday night.

            UNK improves to 12-3 (6-1 RMAC) while the Mountaineers fall to 2-13 (1-6 RMAC).

            The Lopers led for all but the first two minutes of the game and were never really pushed by Western. UNK got its 39-22 halftime edge on the strength of rebounding, getting 15 second chance points off of eight offensive rebounds.

            The Lopers finished with 14 offensive caroms, almost as many rebounds as Western had all night (16). This was the second straight night UNK dominated the glass (45-16), despite playing without leading scorer and rebounder Kalee Moldin. The sophomore center from Iowa is out for at least another week due to injury.

            The blue and gold also shot 70.4 percent (19 of 27) in the second half after making nearly half its shots in the first half. UNK was strong from both the three point line (9 of 19) and the free throw line (16 of 22).

            Fairfield junior Taryn Ninemire had a team-high 22 points on the strength of 6 of 11 three point shooting. That is the fifth time in her career she has sunk six triples in a game. The school mark is eight, held by Beth Swift.

            Three other starters were in double figures, including 18 from sophomore forward Anne Manning, 17 from senior forward Heather Steffen and 16 points and 12 rebounds from senior forward Allison Kruger. Both Manning and Steffen were one rebound short of joining Kruger with double doubles.

            Bridgett Murtagh led Western State with 18 points.

            UNK hosts Metro State and Chadron State next week.