January 21, 2005

Manning Scores 37 in Loss

Lopers Eight Game Streak Ends

            Kearney, Neb. –   North Platte junior Anne Manning scored 37 points, six shy of the school record, but it wasn't enough as Chadron State ended Nebraska-Kearney's eight game winning streak, 92-87, Thursday night in Chadron.

            CSC (4-13, 3-6 RMAC) also ends an eight game losing streak to UNK (9-7, 7-1 RMAC) in the process and beats the Lopers for only the 12^th time in school history (64 all-time games).

            In the offensive shootout, the big difference was on the perimeter where the Eagles were 10 of 19 from the three point line and the Lopers just 1 of 7.

            UNK had a chance to tie the game at 90 with 15 seconds to go but Lexington junior Erin Jones (six points, four assists) misfired on a triple.

            During its eight game win streak, UNK held opponents to 39 percent shooting from the floor and 61 points per game.

            Thanks to its strong perimeter shooting, Chadron shot 46 percent from the field while making 22 of 31 free throws and having only 12 turnovers.

            UNK, which trailed for the last 15 minutes in the game, almost overcame that by shooting 54 percent from the floor and out rebounding CSC, 41-30.

            Despite fouling out with three minutes to go, Manning had one of the best offensive games in school history. She was 14 of 17 from the field and 9 of 12 at the line, in addition to seven rebounds.

            The St. Pat's grad is the third Loper to tally at least 37 points in a game. Darcy Stracke had 43 point (UNO) and 41 point (Fort Hays State) efforts during the 1998-99 season while Ginger Keller scored 37 in a 1994 game at Western State.

            The record for field goals in a game is 17, set by Stracke in that Hays game. 

            Freshmen Amy Mathis (Millard North) and Melissa Hinkley (Lincoln East) were the other stars on the night. Mathis recorded her first career double double (season-high 16 points, 13 rebounds) while Hinkley had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

            Chadron's leading scorer on the year, senior Taylor Cady, had a team-high 28 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field and a n 8 of 12 effort at the line.

            Four others were in double figures, including Morgan Campbell, who had 13 points in 13 minutes off the bench.

            UNK plays another rival on the road, Fort Hays State, Saturday night.