KEARNEY, Neb. – Graduate guard
Molly Hartnett delivered a career-high performance with 28 points, shooting an impressive 8-of-14 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line in a 71-64 setback to the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers at the Health & Sports Center.
UNK remained undefeated at home this season, improving to 12-3 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA, while Northwest fell to 9-8 on the season and 2-5 in conference play.
Hartnett led all scorers with 28 points and six assists (matching her season high), also securing six rebounds.
Emree Zars added 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while
Caely Kesten posted her fifth-straight double-digit scoring performance with 10 points. Northwest shot 41.5% (22-of-53) from the floor, 40% (6-of-15) from three-point range, and 70% (14-of-20) from the charity stripe. The Bearcats forced nine turnovers while committing a season-low six of their own.
Zars opened the game with a three-point basket following a defensive stop, quickly putting Northwest up 3-0. Hartnett went on a seven-point run before
Brooklyn Stanley hit a pair of free throws to give the Bearcats a 12-11 lead with 3:20 to go. Hartnett scored nine first-quarter points, leading Northwest to a 14-12 advantage after the first quarter. UNK converted only four of its 13 field-goal attempts.
Out of the break, a set play gave Hartnett an assist to Fields for her first basket of the night. A 10-1 run by the Bearcats was halted by a UNK three-pointer, making it 20-15 with 7:50 remaining in the half. After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Kesten connected on a triple with 6:30 to play. With the shot clock winding down, Zars found Hartnett at the top of the key for a deep three with just under 40 seconds left. UNK's Jordan Sears answered with a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the half.
Hartnett totaled 14 points in the first half to lead all scorers. Zars went 3-of-5 (1-of-1 from 3PT), contributing seven points. As a team, the Bearcats shot 50% (12-of-24) from the floor and 57.1% (4-of-7) from beyond the arc. UNK was held to just 9-of-23 shooting and committed six turnovers, as Northwest led 30-26 at the break.
The Lopers tied the game at 36 with 6:06 to play after a pair of free throws. Hartnett picked up her fifth assist, finding Stanley to put the Bearcats up 39-36. UNK took its first lead of the second half, 40-39, just before the media timeout. The Lopers used an 11-2 run in two and a half minutes to lead 51-43 with a minute to go in the third. Shooting a blistering 72.7% from the floor in the third, UNK outscored Northwest 26-15. The Bearcats faced a seven-point deficit heading into the final quarter.
Hartnett set a new season high with her 19th and 20th points at the free-throw line.
Lindsey Kelderman got on the scoreboard with a three-pointer from the left corner with eight minutes to play. Shortly after, Kesten cut the Lopers' lead to four with a crucial and one, marking her fifth-straight double-digit scoring performance. Continuing to find the free-throw line, Hartnett added two more free throws, making it a two-point game with 5:22 to play. The score remained 59-57, with the Lopers leading at the final media timeout.
Fields, Kelderman, and Kesten fouled out in the final quarter, as UNK capitalized on free throws late in the game to secure a 71-64 win and remain undefeated at home.
After a slow start, UNK finished the game shooting 48.9% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Lopers won the rebounding battle, 37-26.
Up Next:
Northwest looks to notch another top ten win against No. 7-ranked Fort Hays State (13-2, 4-2 MIAA) on Saturday, Jan. 18, in Hays, Kan. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. FHSU fell to Missouri Western for the second time this season, 70-69, tonight in Hays.
