UNK Clamps Down On Northwest, 71-49

Kearney, Neb. - Senior forward Malgorzata Byczkowska had a double double and sophomore post Tara Biocanin had a career-high 19 points as Nebraska Kearney rolled Northwest Missouri State, 71-49, Saturday afternoon at Buckle Court.

The Lopers (9-6, 2-2) head to Maryville in 12 days to face the Bearcats (9-5, 2-2) again.

UNK led for 31 minutes and limited Northwest to nine points in the second quarter and eight in the fourth. Ahead by six at the break, the Lopers hit six of their seven threes in the second half and slapped on a full court press to blow things open.

"We started the second half a little slow and called a timeout. We put Saniya (Simmons) in and I thought she was unbelievably good. Really sped them up, really changed the game, but it always doesn't result in points. She ended up with a couple but was a game changer defensively," said UNK head coach Drew Johnson. "The team rotated and battled with her, but Sania's energy changed the tempo and pace of the game."

Finishing plus nine on the glass and taking advantage of 22 turnovers, the Lopers had three score in double figures led by junior forward Jordan Sears (McPherson, Kan.). She had a game-high 20 thanks to 8 of 14 (2 of 3 threes) shooting and also grabbed seven rebounds with her point total one off her career best. Next, Byczkowsk (Poland) had 17 points and 11 rebounds (eight defensive) with Biocanin (Serbia) making 8 of 10 shots to reach her point total. Byczkowska went 4 for 4 from behind the arc in the final quarter and is up to a team-best 36. 

Finally for UNK, point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius X) got close to a triple double again (13 assists, nine rebounds and eight points). Northwest was led by starters Bailey Birmingham (11 points), Kirsten Hauck (10 points) and Sadie Maas (nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks).

"We've had to do some different things this year, but we've found modes to go to help us be successful," said Johnson. "Jordan was electric early. We couldn't get her the ball enough and then she was aggressive late in the game as well."

UNK hosts nationally ranked Fort Hays State Tuesday night. The Tigers (12-1, 3-1) beat Missouri Western State today, 87-56.