NSU Sports
Don Vieth, Director of Athletic Communications
KEARNEY, Neb. – Northeastern State’s Bailee Eldred poured in a season high 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to collect her third double-double of the year in a 79-63 loss to Nebraska-Kearney at the Health & Sports Center on Saturday afternoon.
The loss is the seventh straight for the RiverHawks as it falls to 9-15 and 5-12 in MIAA action, UNK improves to 20-5 and 12-5.
After pulling out a one-point victory over the RiverHawks in Tahlequah just a week ago, the Lopers used the home court to ignite their offense early. UNK shot 56 percent from the field in the opening half, including hitting 5-11 from behind the arc to take a sizable 18-point lead 43-25 at the half. NSU struggled during this stretch, shooting just 10-30 and 4-16 from behind the arc.
Cailyn Long poured in eight of her 12 points in the first half who joined Eldred as the only two RiverHawks in double figures.
The RiverHawks defense held the Lopers to 9-25 shooting in the final frames, but could not do enough on the offensive end to cut into the deficit, as the Lopers would grind out the 79-63 victory.
Beyond Long and Eldred, every RiverHawks player contributed, Morgan Hellyer and Lauren Woods had eight points, Miranda Griffin had six, Tree Brooks with five, Alexis Hill and Cenia Hayes tallied three apiece and Joi Bertrand with two.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
9 – Eldred connected on nine free throws, which was the highest this season by a NSU player.
38 – The RiverHawks had a 38-to-36 rebounding edge on the Lopers.
COMING UP
The RiverHawks will host Emporia State on Thursday Feb. 22; tip is set for 5:30 p.m.