November 13, 2003

‘Huskers Rally Past Women’s Basketball

Lopers Led by 14 Points in First Half

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska women’s basketball team began the second half on a 20-6 run to take control of things and rally past the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team, 99-80, Thursday night in an exhibition game at the Devaney Center.

            Despite foul trouble, UNK led the Huskers 45-31 at the 1:15 mark of the first half and 47-38 at intermission. The Lopers sunk seven of 11 three point field goals and held its own on the boards (16-20) while committing only eight turnovers over the first 20 minutes.

            UNL turned up the pressure in the second half, forcing 14 turnovers and out rebounding UNK by nine. A layup by Margaret Richards at the 16:19 mark gave UNL the lead back, 54-53, something they wouldn’t surrender the rest of the night. However, UNK hung around for about the next seven minutes.

            A three pointer by junior Taryn Ninemire made the score 71-67 ‘Huskers with just over 10 minutes to play. UNL responded with a 13-4 run that made the score 84-71 with around five minutes left and UNK wouldn’t get closer than 14 points the rest of the way.        

            Iowa sophomore center Kalee Modlin, after a 24-point effort at Creighton, led the Lopers with 17 points on six of 14 shooting from the floor. She also made four of five free throws.

            Ninemire made four triples to finish with 15 while North Platte sophomore forward Anne Manning had 10 second half points to also tally 15. Leigh freshman Liz Fischer notched 11 points on six of nine shooting and had several impressive drives to the bucket in the second half. Also, Kearney sophomore Nicole Gruntorad had eight points and tied Ninemire for the team lead in assists with four.

            Things didn’t get off to a good start for UNK as senior Allison Kruger was called for two fouls in the game’s first two minutes. She finished the contest with 18 minutes played.

            UNL led 21-17 at the 9:38 mark of the first half after a bucket by Jessica Gerhart. UNK went on a 12-3 run, capped by a three by senior Heather Steffen, to lead 29-24 with six minutes to go. The Lopers pushed the lead to 14 points minutes later after three free throws by Kruger and a trey by Gruntorad. UNL hit two threes and a free throw in the last minute of the first half to get the Loper lead under double figures.

            Richards hit seven of eight shots after the break to tally 18 points and finish with a team-high 26. She had 28 points against UNK last season. Five other ‘Huskers were in double figures, including Keasha Cannon-Johnson (19) and Heather Kephart (17).

            UNK begins the regular season next Thursday in Florida against defending national champion South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits have also challenged two Division I teams this preseason, falling at Colorado, 82-66, and at Iowa, 86-72.