Schmitt Has Career-Night
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt junior point guard Sarah Schmitt had a career-high 18 points and eight rebounds to help No. 38 Nebraska Kearney down Minnesota Crookston, 69-49, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center. The game was part of a "MIAA/NSIC Crossover" Tournament as Northwest Missouri State outscored Southwest Minnesota State, 95-86, in the early game. UNK (2-1) battles SMSU tomorrow at 4 p.m. with Crookston facing Northwest at 2 p.m. UNK held the Golden Eagles to just 13 first half points including two over the first 10 minutes. A young UMC squad was 6 of 29 from the field at the break including 1 of 10 from long distance. However, the Lopers weren't hot early either as they missed 11 of its first 13 threes. "They were kind of daring us to shoot threes (in the first half). We had a lot of open looks … sometimes that's tricky because you're so open and you want to shoot them. On days those are going in, you're in business. On days they are not, you're probably got to be a little bit more patient," said UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey. "Our first half defense was phenomenal. We paid attention to detail and executed the scout and game plan. We forced them into a lot of tough shots and didn't allow offensive rebounds." The Lopers tallied the game's first six points to never trail with Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.) scoring five in the first quarter and six more in the second. She finished the night 8 of 14 from the field (1 of 4 threes) with six of her caroms coming at the defensive end. "Sarah has been playing really well for us and was super-efficient tonight. She did a good job of getting us into our stuff but also finding opportunities to get to the paint and having really good finishes around the rim," said Eighmey. "Because of her size she probably shouldn't come up with that many boards but she's always in the mix." Crookston hit six second half threes and shot over 50% from the field over the final 20 minutes to hang around. The Golden Eagles whittled a 24-point deficit to a 59-44 score with 6:34 to play but missed its next two shots. A fast-break layup by Schmitt off a turnover made it 61-44 and the Loper lead only grew from there. "While we've already played two games, I felt like we still had those first-game jitters especially on offense," said Eighmey. The Lopers ended the game plus 21 on the glass, leading to 15 second chance points, got 17 points off 18 UMC miscues and saw the bench provide 22 points and 19 rebounds. Besides Schmitt's career-night, Kansas senior forward Elisa Backes at 12 points, five rebounds and two steals, Mullen sophomore reserve wing Samantha Moore provided six rebounds and four points with South Dakota senior Klaire Kirsch at nine points, five boards, two assists and two steals. Eight different Golden Eagles scored with reserve Taryn Frazier with nine and 5-1 starter Emma Miller at eight. She also had six dimes and a steal.
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