February 19, 2004

Women Get Key Win

Lopers End Losing Streak to Regis

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team used the three pointer to end a three game losing streak to Regis, 78-61, Thursday night at the Health Sports Center.

            Not only was it Senior Night but also a matchup of the top two teams in the RMAC's East Division. UNK (20-5) improves its league mark to 14-2 while the Rangers (16-8) fall to 11-5 in the RMAC.

            This also is the ninth straight year UNK has won at least 20 games.

            UNK out scored Regis 13-3 in the final five minutes of the first half to lead 37-24 at the break. The run was highlighted by two threes from Kearney sophomore Nicole Gruntorad and one trey from Fairfield junior Tayrn Ninemire.

            UNK was 5 of 7 from the three point line in the first 20 minutes with Ninemire hitting three threes to tally nine of her 10 points.

            The Rangers didn’t get closer than 11 points in the second half as UNK scored 28 points off 18 turnovers. The Lopers actually had four more turnovers but Regis turned them into only 15 points.

            UNK hit four threes in the second half including two from a very unlikely source. Senior Allison Kruger had made only two threes in her career prior to tonight but she hit two in a three minute span to help her finish 16 points. She also had four blocks and three steals.

            Sophomore center Kalee Modlin led the Lopers with 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting from the field. It marks her third straight game over 20 points. During this stretch, she is shooting 67 percent from the field (29 of 43).

            Gruntorad finished with 11 points and five assists while North Platte sophomore Anne Manning had seven rebounds and four points off the bench.

            Freshman Denise Lopez (14) was the only Ranger in double figures. UNK held one of the top scorers in the RMAC, Kristina Vengryte, to 1 of 7 shooting from the field and six points. 

            The Lopers finish the regular season at Chadron State and Metro State next weekend.