Loper Women Warm Up to Beat Newman

Kearney, Neb. – Freshman guard Myleigh Weers recorded her first career double double and three other starters scored in double figures as Nebraska Kearney warmed up to down Newman, 76-42, Thursday night at Buckle Court.

This was the only meeting between the Lopers (13-13, 6-9) and the Jets (7-17, 1-14) this year. UNK hosts Emporia State on "Senior Day" this Saturday afternoon to close out the 2025-26 home slate.

The two teams struggled mightily in the first quarter tonight, combining for 16 points on 7 of 33 shooting (1 for 12 threes). UNK was up 9-7 and then tallied 24 points in each of the next two quarters to really pull away. The Lopers shot 67% (10 of 15) in quarter two and 47% (8 of 17) coming out of halftime.

"I was into to start the game, and you want to execute the scout well. I felt that it took us out of rhythm a little bit offensively," said UNK head coach Drew Johnson. "Once I settled in, they settled in and it was a lot more efficient at that point."

With leading scorer Jaeden McMillin (15.6 ppg) out due to injury, Newman never found an offensive groove and shot just 27% (16 of 26) from the field including a 3 of 25 effort from deep. This is the fifth time UNK has held an opponent under 50 points, and they also were plus 21 on the glass, 50-29.

"I thought our players did a great job executing the scout. When Newman gets hot from three, they are dangerous. And they made three threes tonight," said Johnson. "Found a way to limit the easy ones and we rotated hard. We have a tendency to close out too short on kids that can shoot it and we've been working on that."

Weers (Diller) went for 19 points, 10 rebounds (eight defensive) and two steals. An efficient 6 of 9 (3 of 4 threes) from the field and 4 of 5 from the line, Weers is up to 383 points, third most in school history for a true freshman.

"I thought we took the right shots (tonight). Sometimes when it doesn't go in, we've taken quick threes. It's not that we're incapable of making those shots but it's out of rhythm, it's rushed a little bit and we didn't do that tonight."

Next, junior forward Jordan Sears (McPherson, Kan.) had 19 points and seven rebounds with senior point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln) at 12 points, seven boards and four dimes. Finally, junior post Tara Biocanin (Serbia) was big early and had 10 points and five boards.

Newman was led by Latvian post Valeriya Lioukina (13 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks) paced the Jets.

Tonight, at nationally ranked Fort Hays State, the E-State Hornets (12-12, 6-9) fell to the Tigers, 69-56.

UNK All-Time Freshmen Scorers (By Point Totals)
1. Kalee Modlin (C), 456 (2002-03)
2. Darcy Stracke (G), 404 (1996-97)
3. Myleigh Weers (G), 383 (2025-26) ... averaging 15.3 ppg