UNK Women Defeat Colorado School Of Mines, 72-70

Three players scored in double figures and Nebraska Kearney was plus 17 on the glass to hold off Colorado School of Mines, 72-70, Saturday evening in Billings, Mont.

The game was part of the three-day Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead. On Friday, UNK lost to Colorado State-Pueblo while the Orediggers fell to 20th-ranked Texas-Tyler.

All was well in Loper land for the first 30 minutes as the team built up leads of 47-23 and 63-52. To lead by 18 at the break, UNK shot 53% in the second quarter (4 of 6 threes) and had 13 fast break points. However, Mines dug up a comeback as they got the deficit to two, 65-63, with just over six minutes remaining. UNK got its lead back to six, but it was back to a one possession game soon after.

"I feel like in these opening tournaments you're trying to find the things you do well and try and find the things you're not doing great yet. It was another game where we were aggressive in the first half, got downhill and got to the free throw line," said Loper head coach Drew Johnson. "Mines did a good job of adjusting and making us do different things in the second half. They scrambled us a little bit."

Down 69-67, the 'Diggers had a chance to tie or take the lead but threw the ball away. Two Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius X) free throws made it 71-67 at the three-minute mark with neither team scoring until 1:04. Thankfully, that was another Aschoff freebie and then she blocked a Mines three-point attempt out of bounds with six seconds left. Finally, CSM was short on a last second three with an offensive rebound leading to two free throws. Freshman reserve Sophia Baal made the first and intentionally missed the second but time expired.

"Learning moments for us; got some kids that are new and inexperienced. Proud of us for finding a way to win; it's much more fun to learn lessons in a win than in a loss," said Johnson.

Aschoff finished with 17 points, six fouls drawn, three assists, two rebounds and that big block. Next, junior forward Jordan Sears (McPherson, Kan.) had 14 points, six steals, five rebounds, five fouls drawn and two assists. Finally among the starters, freshman guard Myleigh Weers (Diller) chipped in with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Off the bench, newcomers Emma Rowan (Magnolia, Texas) and Lynnae Green (Northboro, Ia.) combined for 15 points and eight rebounds.

To overcome 24 turnovers and 1 for 10 shooting in the fourth, the Lopers grabbed 17 o-boars and went 26 of 32 at the line. Mines was led by redshirt senior guard Jenna Shandy (20 points, six assists) and Baal (14 points).

"We tried to put some gap pressure on Shandy. She's really good and had a great night," said Johnson. "We found a way to get some defensive stops at the end and grabbed some big rebounds."

UNK faces UTT tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Central. The Patriots played Mary (N.D.) late Saturday night.