December 12, 2003

Women’s Basketball Gets Key Road Win

Lopers Win Match Up of Preseason Favorites

            Kearney, NE – North Platte sophomore forward Anne Manning scored 18 points to lead the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team to an 84-68 victory at Mesa State Friday night in Grand Junction, Colo. The league opener for both, UNK improves to 5-2 while the Mavericks fall to 3-3.

            This was a match up of the preseason RMAC favorites as UNK was picked to win the East Division while Mesa was tabbed as the West Division’s top squad.

            UNK led 37-34 at the break and slowly built their lead in the second half. The Lopers got the lead into double digits with about 12 minutes to go and, after Mesa hung around for a couple of minutes, the Lopers cruise to the victory. 

            Mesa had out rebounded their first five opponents by an average of 18 per game but the Lopers won the war on the glass tonight, 41-36.

            Manning, playing 19 minutes, continues her fine play off the bench as she sunk nine of 11 shots to get her 18 points. The southpaw also grabbed four rebounds, including three on the offensive end.  

            Despite some early foul trouble, sophomore center Kalee Modlin had another double (15 points, 10 rebounds) and continues to be automatic at the free throw line. After going six for six at the line tonight, she has missed only one free throw all year (30 of 31).

             Among other starters, senior forward Allison Kruger and junior guard Taryn Ninemire each had 14 points. Kruger was limited to 21 minutes due to foul trouble while Ninemire got the Lopers going early with two quick threes. She also led the team in assists with four.

            Forward Lori Eddy led Mesa State with 17 points while forward Rosa Masler had a double double (11 points, 10 rebounds).

            UNK hosts NAIA NW Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.