Key 2nd Half Run Propels Missouri S & T

Double Double for Becker 

Kearney, Neb. - The Missouri S & T Lady Miners got 25 points off its bench and used an 11-3 second half run to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 70-62, Friday night in Rolla, Mo.

This was the season opener for both teams. Missouri S & T used to be known as Missouri-Rolla and is a member of the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

In the first game with Kevin Chaney as head coach, UNK got off to a slow start, trailing 27-17 by the seven minute mark of the first half.  However, the Lopers used a 25-9 run that encompassed the end of the first half and the start of the second half to open up a 42-36 lead with just over 16 minutes remaining.

Guards Debi Johnson (Elsie) and Tessa Kreutzer (Holdrege H.S.) led the way during this stretch, each scoring seven points.

The two teams then battled back and forth for seven minutes with the eighth and final tie, 51 all, coming at the 9:32 mark. That's when the Lopers went cold, scoring just three points over the next five minutes. And, of UNK's 19 turnovers, six came during this critical period.

A three from reserve guard Toni Knar (nine points in 13 minutes) pushed the Miners lead to 62-54 with 4:19 left and the Lopers wouldn't get closer the four points the rest of the way.  UNK did have a chance to cut into that four point deficit but missed a free throw and the ensuing put back attempt.

In a even game statistically,  S & T went 17 of 25 at the line compared to an 8 of 9 effort by the Lopers. Both teams pulled down 33 rebounds with UNK's 19 turnovers leading to 16 Miners points.

Johnson scored 12 of her team-high 16 points in the first half with junior forward Vanessa Leeper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scoring 10 of her 14 before the break as well. Junior post Megan Becker (Southern Valley H.S.) did record a double double, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds while scoring 10 points on 5 of 13 shooting.

Besides Knar, sophomore wing Katelyn Heil had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes off the bench. Knar and Heil combined to make six of the Miners seven three pointers.  Finally, starters Julie Meyer (12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) and Courtney Kemp (11 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals) also had strong efforts for S & T.

UNK is at NW Missouri State Monday night.