February 20, 2005

Women's Basketball Beats CCU

Hot Shooting Leads Lopers

            Kearney, Neb. –  The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team had more players score (eight) then Colorado Christian had players (seven) as the Lopers beat the Cougars 71-57 Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            UNK (13-12, 11-6 RMAC) moves into a tie for fourth place in the East Division with Colorado School of Mines. However, the Lopers chances of hosting an RMAC Tournament first round game took a giant hit tonight when Fort Hays State upset league leading Regis.

            On the other side of the court, CCU (3-21, 2-15 RMAC) loses its 12^th game in a row. The Cougars actually used only six players in the second half as starter Ashley Baker couldn't go due to injury.

            UNK shot 59 percent from the field in the second half (17 of 29) to end at 50.8 percent (30 of 59) for the game. It marks the sixth time this year the Lopers made half of its shots in a contest.

            Despite depleted numbers, CCU put up a good fight, trailing UNK most of the game but not allowing the Lopers to get to far ahead until midway through the second half.

            UNK used a 10-0 run at the end of the first half to open up a 14 point lead, 31-17. The Cougars clawed their way back to a nine point hole, 43-34, with 13:34 to go before the Lopers delivered a knock out punch.

            A 15-3 spurt, highlighted by back-to-back threes from senior guard Amber Whitlock, gave UNK a 21 point lead, 58-37, with 10:39 to play. CCU wouldn't get closer then 12 points the rest of the way.

            In addition to its good shooting, UNK scored 21 points off 15 turnovers while giving up the ball only 14 times.

            The blue and gold had a season-low 11 turnovers last night in a win over Mines.      

            Omaha freshman Amy Mathis had nine second half points to finish with a team-high 14. She also grabbed six rebounds and sunk two threes in the game.

            Junior center Kalee Modlin (Knoxville, Ia.) added 13 points, five rebounds and five assists while Whitlock (Stoneham, Colo.) had 10 points, three assists and three rebounds.

            Also, Pleasanton senior center Jenny Brown chipped in with eight points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

            Monica Chase led CCU with 14 points with freshman Sara Davis recording a double double (12 points, 11 rebounds).

            UNK hosts Fort Hays State and Chadron State next weekend.