UNK Shuts Down High Scoring Pitt
Listen to the game here.
Kearney, Neb. – Super senior wing Klaire Kirsch recorded her 19th career double double as No. 22/26 Nebraska Kearney shut down Pittsburg State, 70-55, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center. The Lopers (14-3, 7-2) bounce back from a Monday night loss at unbeaten Central Missouri while the Gorillas, fresh off an upset of nationally-ranked Missouri Southern, drop to 10-4 (5-3). UNK came in as one of the nation's top defensive units with Pitt having hit 12 threes and scoring 87 points in Monday's win over the Lions. The Gorillas hadn't scored fewer than 69 points all winter but succumbed to the Loper pressure, going just 4 of 32 from long range and shooting 29% overall. "We just tried to make it tough and make (the three-pointers) fairly contested. I thought we gave up a few open looks that we were fortunate they didn't make," said UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey. "They are a tough team to defend. You have to guard the three-point line, they can put the ball on the floor. They didn't shoot it particularly well … part of that was them, part of it was our defense." Pitt hit several mid-range jumpers early on and finished the first quarter 7 of 15 from the field to lead 19-16. However, UNK limited them to just 17 points over the next 20 minutes of game action. By early in the fourth quarter the Loper lead was 13 and the Gorillas never made a series run. Another balanced Blue & Gold offensive attack featured five starters and one reserve in double figures, each between 10-17 points. UNK had one of its best nights at the line as well, sinking 20 of 24 shots. Everyone got involved as seven different Lopers made at least one freebie. "We did good job of getting to the line and then making our free throws. It makes a huge difference when you knock those down," said Eighmey. "That's about as good as percentage (83.3) as we've had all year." Kirsch (Rapid City, SD) finished with 14 rebounds (five offensive) and 11 points. Having her second double double in the last five games, she went 4 of 9 from the floor and hit two threes. Next, forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) had a team-best 17 points thanks to 6 of 11 shooting with guards Sarah Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.) and Trinity Law (Brandon, SD) at 12 points and four assists apiece. Off the bench, post Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) supplied 10 points and two o-boards. "Offensively we did a better job of moving the ball after the first quarter. They were squeezing us in the middle third of the floor, in the paint. We got their defense to have to change sides of the floor and get them spread out a little bit so we could operate better," said Eighmey. Pitt grabbed 18 o-boards, thanks to their 28 missed threes, with starting forward Karenna Gerber having a double double (15 points, 10 rebounds). UNK hosts MSSU on Saturday afternoon. The Lions (12-3, 4-3) suffered a second straight defeat, falling at Fort Hays State tonight, 72-54.
Comments