BOX SCORE (PDF)

KEARNEY, Nebraska - The No. 5-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers stayed undefeated on the season with a 59-35 victory over the Northwest Missouri State Bearcat women's basketball team.

The Lopers came into the contest ranked No. 3 in the nation in scoring defense at 48.3 points per game. The Lopers locked in defensively again, while taking it to another level in the second half by limiting the Bearcats to 12 points in the final 20 minutes. The Lopers limited the Bearcats to 12-of-62 shooting (19.4%) for the contest.

UNK led 17-9 after and upped the margin to 26-13 at the break.

The Lopers kept the Bearcat offense in check in the third quarter by allowing only one made field goal. Northwest was held to 1-of-16 from the field in the third as UNK upped the lead to 52-27.

The Bearcats (3-5 overall) were outscored, 9-8, in the fourth quarter and suffered a 59-35 setback.

Northwest will be in action again Tuesday at home against Emporia State. The matchup with the Hornets will tip at 5 p.m. in Bearcat Arena.

NOTES: Freshman Molly Hartnett led Northwest in scoring with eight points ... Hartnett went 4-of-4 at the free line ... Hartnett has made 14 consecutive free throws ... Northwest was a perfect 8-of-8 at the free throw line ... senior Kylie Coleman tied for team-high honors with five rebounds ... UNK's Shiloh McColl led all scorers with 14 points ... Northwest held UNK to four points below its season scoring average of 63 points per game.