UNK Women Fall At Wayne State
Senior forward Micah Fitzpatrick scored a game-high 21 points and Wayne State used 9-0 fourth quarter run to beat Nebraska Kearney, 67-57, Wednesday night in Wayne.
This was the first time in five years the Lopers (4-2) and Wildcats (2-1) met on the hardwood. The home team has won seven straight in the series with WSC now holding a 39-33 all-time edge.
Neither team led by more than five points over the first three quarters with things tied at 37 after 30 minutes and 49 with just 2:41 remaining. That's when the 'Cats pounced, scoring the game's next nine points and going 10 of 11 at the line to keep UNK at bay.
Senior and Idaho State transfer Carsyn Boswell started the spurt with a step back three and then junior forward Kylah vanDonkersgoed went 2 for 2 at the line. UNK had another empty possession with a Fitzpatrick driving layup at the 1:07 mark giving Wayne its biggest lead of the night, 56-49. They didn't allow a comeback as they made their free throws and were an efficient 6 of 9 (67%) from the field in the fourth. Meanwhile, UNK made 7 of its final 22 shots (32%).
Fitzpatrick worked around four fouls over a team-high 36 minutes by making 7 of 15 shots (1 of 4 threes). She was one of five 'Cats to make at least two freebies in the game; WSC was a solid 18 of 21 overall. Next, vanDonkersgoed had a double double (16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) with senior guard Tate Norblade (14) also scoring in double figures.
UNK had a plus nine turnover margin but was minus 10 on the glass and shot 33% (22 of 66) from the field that included a 3 of 18 effort from deep. The Lopers also went 10 of 16 at the line. Individually, Mullen senior wing Samantha Moore had another productive effort (15 points, six rebounds, two blocks) with Lincoln junior point guard Jillan Aschoff at 12 points, five assists, four boards and four steals. Finally, South Dakota sophomore post Bailee Sobczak had six boards and six points off the bench.
UNK hosts Division III Nebraska Wesleyan (0-3) Saturday at 2 p.m.