November 24, 2008

#25 Nebraska-Kearney 66 Wayne State 50

#25 Nebraska-Kearney earned a 66-50 win over Wayne State in women's basketball on Monday evening in Wayne.  The Lopers moved to 3-1 with the win while Wayne State dropped to 2-2 with the loss. 

The Lopers jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and led by as many as 10 points in the first half.  WSC battled back and tied the game at 24 with just over three minutes remaining in the half.  However, the Lopers closed the half on a 7-4 run to take a 31-28 lead into halftime.  UNK had 16 points in the paint and 11 points off of Wildat turnovers in the opening half of play. 

Wayne State pulled within one point at 31-30 early in the second half but would get no closer as UNK used a run to pull away.  The Lopers led by as many as 17 points in the second half and held on for the victory.  Turnovers cost the 'Cats again in the second half as UNK scored 13 more points off of turnovers in the final half of play.

Wayne State hit just 16 of 56 shots in the game for 28.6 percent.  WSC was 6 of 30 from behind the three point line and 15 of 21 from the free throw line for 71.4 percent.  Wayne State had 23 turnovers in the game compared to 15 for Nebraska-Kearney.  UNK hit 26 of 72 shots in the game for 36.1 percent.  The Lopers were 8 of 21 from behind the three point line and just 6 of 16 from the foul line for 37.5 percent. 

Laquisha Cook led the way offensively for WSC in the loss with 10 points.  Clare Duwelius and Mara Hjelle each had seven points and Jodie Boss added eight rebounds and six blocks for the 'Cats.  Jade Meads led the way for UNK with 26 points and 12 rebounds.  Kaitlin Petri added 12 points and 12 boards and Kassi Schuppe had 10 points for the Lopers.

Wayne State will return to action this weekend at the NSIC Holiday Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.