UNK WBB: Lopers Rally From 16 Down To Win League Opener

Redshirt junior wing Meg Burns scored 17 points and Nebraska Kearney limited Rogers State to 27 percent field goal shooting to win 58-51 Thursday night in Claremore, Okla.

This was the MIAA opener for both teams with UNK (7-0) now 8-0 all-time against the Hillcats (4-2). This was the only meeting between the two this season.

Under first-year head coach Heather Davis, a former assistant at Central Oklahoma, Rogers has almost equaled its win total (five) from a year ago. One big reason is 6-3 transfer Alayzha Knapp, a former UCO Broncho who came in averaging 23 points and six boards per game. The 'Cats next two leading scorers are 6-2 posts in Trinity Jackson and Kylee Day.

While that trio altered and blocked several shots, UNK still managed to be plus seven on the glass and out scored the 'Cats 26-12 in the paint. However, RSU opened a 26-10 first half lead on the strength of five triples, including one from Knapp, and some early offensive struggles for the Lopers.

A three from freshman guard Amaya Gallegos gave RSU its biggest lead of the night at 6:41 of the second quarter. But, UNK followed with a 12-0 spurt and then started the second half on a 12-9 run to retake the lead at 39-38. The Lopers finally got some breathing room in the fourth after point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) sunk two freebies to make it 51-46. Jackson went 2 for 4 at the line over the next couple of minutes with RSU ending just 10 of 20 from the stripe.

Burns and guard Trinity Law (Brandon, S.D.) each sunk freebies to push the lead to five, 53-48, with under a minute remaining. RSU continued to miss hard from the field as several threes hit nothing but the backboard. They came in at 17 of 63 (7 of 24 threes) while UNK was 10 percentage points higher at 18 of 50 (5 of 14 threes).

Finishing two shy of her career-high, Burns made five field goals (three treys) and four free throws while drawing five fouls and having three boards in nearly 36 minutes of work. Next, post Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) worked around RSU's height advantage to have 13 rebounds (12 defensive) and nine points with forward Kia Wilson (St. George, Kan.) at 10 points over 24 minutes.

Next, veteran wing Lexi Moes (Smithville, Mo.) bounced back from a first half injury to hit two second half triples to tally seven with Aschoff at five points, five fouls drawn and four assists. Finally, redshirt freshman post Bailee Sobczak (Rapid City, S.D.) had five caroms and four points in just 13 minutes.

Knapp (12 points, five rebounds, three blocks) paced Rogers with five others between four-nine points. That included Jackson (six, seven rebounds).

UNK heads to Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon. The RiverHawks (3-3) led Fort Hays State after three quarters tonight but fell, 63-52.