Loper Women Feast on Turnovers to Rout Wesleyan

The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team scored 52 points off 36 turnovers to roll past Nebraska Wesleyan, 90-33, Saturday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (5-2) snap a two-game losing streak with the Division III Prairie Wolves remaining 0-4 as this was an exhibition game for them.

While the NWU full-court press briefly gave UNK some troubles, the Lopers quickly adapted and dominated the final 38 minutes. The Lopers shot 54% from the field, had a plus 25 rebounding margin and totaled 28 fast break points thanks to all those turnovers.

"We needed to see the ball go into the hole honestly. We didn't guard the way we were supposed to guard the last three games. We won against Metro State, but I didn't feel like we did our job defensively," said UNK head coach Drew Johnson. "As a team, we let the defensive lack of execution affect us on the offensive end."

All 11 available players scored led by Iowa graduate wing Meg Burns (19), Kansas graduate forward Kia Wilson (15) and Lincoln sophomore wing Brinly Christensen (12). Burns was 7 of 8 (4 of 5 threes) from the field, Wilson also made 7 of 8 shots with Christensen joining Wilson for the lead in steals (three).

"When it doesn't go well offensively for a couple of games in row, it's hard to find that confidence again," said Johnson. "It's one thing to make shots in practice, it's another thing to make shots in a game."

NWU used 18 players with only three playing more than 20 minutes. They shot just 33% from the floor, were 0 of 7 from behind the arc with UNK having 17 steals among those 36 miscues.

"Credit to Nebraska Wesleyan. They sped us up, especially early, and we had to find a way to settle in. Once we did, it was great to see the ball go into the hole," said Johnson.

Finally, Mulle senior wing Samantha Moore got close to a double double (nine points, seven rebounds, five assists), Kansas sophomore reserve forward Jordan Sears had eight points and four boards with Israeli sophomore Alma Rashelbach making her first Loper appearance and making a bucket in 12 minutes of work.

UNK is off until Nov. 30 when they visit Chadron State. The Eagles (0-4) host York on Monday night.