November 20, 2004

Women’s Basketball Drops Another Close One

Lopers Go Cold Late

            Kearney, Neb. – For the second consecutive game, a late offensive drought cost the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team in a 70-67 setback to the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday afternoon in Pueblo, Colo.

            The game was part of the Marzolf-Al Kaly Shrine Classic. UNK drops to 1-2 on the year while NMU improves to 2-0.

            After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, UNK didn’t lead again until midway through the second half. From that point, it was a back and for game until a bucket by freshman Amy Mathis (Omaha) gave the Lopers a 60-53 lead with 5:50 to play.

            However, NMU ripped off 10 straight points to take 63-60 lead with 3:08 to go. Two free throws by junior center Kalee Modlin (Knoxville, Ia.) got UNK within one but the ‘Cats scored six straight to sew the game up.

            The Lopers were just 2 of 10 from the field after taking that seven-point lead and shot only 37 percent (27 of 73) on the night.

            Mathis pulled down a team-15 rebounds and Modlin added nine more to help UNK dominate the glass, 48-32. The Lopers also had three less turnovers but NMU, led by guard Holly Cole, made up for that by sinking 13 three pointers.

            Cole tallied a game-high 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting from behind the arc. She had eight of her points in the final six minutes of the contest.

            Modlin and junior forward Anne Manning (North Platte) each tallied 16 points to lead UNK as the duo combined to go 11 of 26 from the floor.

            Modlin, who needs 16 more points to reach 1,000 for her career, represented the Lopers on the all-tournament team.

            In the back court, Jenny Harle (Des Moines, Ia.) and Liz Fischer  (Leigh) each scored nine points to lead the Loper guards.

            Besides Cole, Tiffany Grubaugh had 17 points and Tera Opperman added 10 more for the Wildcats.

            UNK’s tough road swing continues with a game at perennial powerhouse Missouri Western State next Saturday.