January 7, 2005

Whitlock, Jones Lead Women's Basketball

Lopers Survive Adams Rally

            Kearney, Neb. –   Senior Amber Whitlock and junior Erin Jones had career nights as the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team held off Adams State, 83-73, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            With the win, UNK is back to .500 for the season (6-6, 4-0 RMAC). The Grizzlies fall to 3-9 (1-4 RMAC) on the year and suffered their sixth loss of 10 points or less in the process.

`           The Lopers, winners of five straight, dominated the first 20 minutes, getting out to a 42-24 lead thanks to 54 percent shooting from the floor and by forcing 16 turnovers.

            The Grizzlies also struggled from the field, making only 9 of 24 shots (38 percent), including 1 of 9 effort from the three point line.

            Things changed 180 degrees in the second half as Adams began the final 20 minutes on an 11-2 run to get within nine points, 44-35.

            The Loper lead wouldn't get back into double digits until the buzzer sounded.

            Adams, which shot 58 percent in the second half, got within three points of the Lopers on three separate occasions but UNK had an answer each time.

            With 2:22 to go, Meagan Hoffman converted a three point play to get Adams within four points, 74-70.

            Whitlock (Stoneham, Colo.) hit a jumper from the top of the key to push the lead to six and, after a missed Adams three, junior Annie Manning (North Platte) made one of two free throws to get the lead to seven.

            Adams fifth three of the half cut the lead to four with 1:16 left but a bucket by junior Kalee Moldin (Knoxville, Ia.) started a 6-0 run that finished the game's scoring.

            Whitlock was hot all night long, scoring seven points in the first five minutes and reaching 12 points by the break. She tallied a team-high 24 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the floor and by sinking eight of nine free throws.

            She also added a team-best five assists.

            Jones tallied a career-best 17 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field and by going 7 of 8 at the line. The Lexington native then led the team in rebounds with six.

            UNK shot a season-high 60 percent from the field (27 of 45) while making a season-high 26 free throws. The Lopers also converted 22 Grizzly turnovers into 29 points.

            Hoffman had 18 of her game-high 26 points in the second half while Jill French and Jaclyn Dee came off the bench to each score 17 points.