Second Year in a Row UNK “Upsets” Mines
Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team made 21 free throws and got 30 combined points from guards Klaire Kirsch and Trinity Law to knock off No. 11/20 Colorado School of Mines, 59-47, Saturday night in Golden. UNK (4-1) improves to 35-10 all-time against an Orediggers squad (2-1) that went 13-1 in Lockridge Arena last season. In November 2021, the Lopers downed then-No. 8/23 Mines, 76-57, at the Health & Sports Center. To beat the 'Diggers for a second straight year, the Lopers had to do it without leading scorers Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) and Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) who were saddled with foul trouble all night. Both picked up two fouls in the first half and each was dinged with a third early in the third quarter. The Lopers still led for 32 minutes, getting out to a 9-2 advantage as Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) starting the scoring with a left-wing triple. Mines, however, countered with a 12-4 run that allowed them to lead after the first quarter. Six different 'Diggers scored in the first 10 minutes with Mines making 6 of 12 shots. A paint bucket by Iowa senior reserve forward Maegan Holt made it 23-22 Lopers halfway through the second quarter and UNK wouldn't trail again. Mines struggled mightily in the third, going 2 of 13 from the field and 3 of 10 at the line. The Blue & Gold got seven points from Law (Brandon, S.D.) in the quarter to open up a comfortable 40-29 lead. While Mines got the deficit down to five with eight to go, the Lopers countered with buckets from Law, McCool and a three from Holt to push the lead back into double digits, 51-39. On the night, UNK was plus seven on the glass and held Mines to 33% shooting with the 'Diggers going 10 of 20 at the line. The Lopers 21 makes at the line came in just 29 attempts (72%) with Backes going 6 for 6 and Law 5 for 6. Law had a team-best 16 points as well as three steals, three boards and five fouls drawn. Next, Kirsch had 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals with Holt and Elkhorn senior post Brooke Carlson at six points apiece. The pair also had five rebounds apiece and combined to go 5 for 8 from the field. Finally, McCool tallied seven and drew five fouls. Starters Ashley Steffeck (11) and Jessica Rios (10) combined to score 21 for Mines with fellow starter Sammy Van Sickle at 12 rebounds, four points and two blocks. UNK hosts NAIA Graceland University of Iowa Wednesday at 2p.m.
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