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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State women's basketball team lost 63-52 to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Thursday evening inside the NSU Event Center.

The RiverHawks fell to 11-14 overall this season and 7-11 in MIAA play, while UNK improved to 12-15 on the year and 6-12 in league play. 

The RiverHawks were led by Fontana Tate who scored a season-high 19 points. The senior guard was 4-for-7 on 3-point tries. Freshman forward Bria Pierce pulled down a career-high 12 boards.

NSU shot 29.5 percent (18-for-61) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-for-24) from behind the arc and 70.0 percent (7-for-10) at the line. UNK shot 41.4 percent (24-for-58) from the field, 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from 3-point range and 80.0 percent (8-for-10) at the charity stripe.

Amarah Williams led the Lopers with 18 points. McKenzie Brown and Laramey Lewis both added 15 points. Five Lopers had five or more rebounds, led by Tori Payne who pulled down 11 boards off the bench. 

The Lopers began the game on a 15-3 run and held a 10-point lead at halftime (31-21). The RiverHawks were able to close the gap to seven with 10:14 remaining on a three-pointer by freshman guard Caley Shaffstall, but NSU was ultimately unable to climb out of its early hole.

Nebraska-Kearney outrebounded the RiverHawks 51-28. UNK also held the edge in points in the paint (28-8), assists (13-8) and second chance points (13-1). The RiverHawks forced 18 Loper turnovers while only turning the ball over seven times themselves. NSU also held a 8-4 edge in steals.

Northeastern State will continue to battle for playoff seeding as they next host No. 4 Fort Hays State Feb 28. The game is set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m. and is the final game of the regular season. Seniors Fontana Tate, Chelsey Beathard and Sarah Sagely will be honored between the men's and women's games.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH RANDY GIPSON
On having a slow start...
"I'm disappointed we didn't come out and start the game better. We didn't defend great and we let them get good looks at the basket and we didn't answer them offensively. We didn't shoot the ball well the whole game. We spotted them a lead and after we tightened our defense we could never muster enough offense to get back into it."
 
On adjustments during the game...
"We tried to do some different things differently, but getting shots wasn't our problem tonight. We didn't turn the ball over, we just couldn't make shots. Whatever we did, we didn't shoot the ball well. We let them have a good start at the beginning of both halves. For whatever reason, they had more energy and they finished their shots better."
 
On playing the number one team in the conference on the final day of regular season...
"It's our final home game for our seniors which is always a big day for the program. It's a really good team that we'll be playing. Hopefully we can come out with some energy and make some shots. Hopefully we'll play like we're capable of playing. That is really what we're looking for right now is to come out and play with great energy."
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-