UNK Wins Again

UNK Wins Again
Elisa Backes Helps UNK To The Win=Photo Courtesy Ryan Weaver
March 14th, 2021 | Peter Yazvac-UNK Sports Information

Post Game Press Conference: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI8OBAsBtvk

Kearney, Neb. – Juniors forward Elisa Backes scored a team-high 22 points and juniorKlaire Kirsch had her fourth double double of the year to help Nebraska-Kearney hold off Minnesota-Duluth, 65-57, Saturday night in an NCAA Tournament second round game in Warrensburg, Mo.

The second-seeded and ninth-ranked Lopers (23-2) advance to the “Sweet 16” for the third time in program history and will face fourth-seed and 20th/22nd-ranked Central Missouri (21-4) Monday at 6 p.m. The Jennies knocked off top-seed Fort Hays State, 72-68, in Saturday’s early game. Monday’s winner advances to the Elite Eight in Columbus, Ohio.

“They (UMD) are incredible. They are very well coached and have great players. Brooke Olson is phenomenal and they have a great supporting cast to go with her. We have a ton of respect for them because they are a lot like us. It felt like we were playing ourselves there for a while,” UNK head coach Carrie Eighmey said. 

UNK led almost the entire night but couldn’t shake a game Bulldogs squad (14-2) that won both the NSIC regular season and tournament titles. UMD, seeded third and ranked 7th/13th, pulled off a miraculous comeback on Friday to beat Emporia State, 76-70, in overtime. However, they couldn’t overcome two long scoring droughts tonight. 

“We had some really good stretches in the second half where we were able to contest shots without fouling. Give them one shot and then get the defensive rebound. The team just committed to getting stops,” Eighmey said. 

Backes (Salina, Kan.) had 15 of her points in the second half thanks to a 3 of 4 effort from behind the arc. Her top-of-the-key triple made it 60-55 with just 1:04 remaining. The ‘Dogs missed a three 27 seconds earlier that would’ve given the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.

After Backes big bucket UNK got a defensive stop with, as usual, Kirsch grabbing the defensive rebound. She sank one of two free throws and then hit four more as Duluth misfired on two more shot attempts. Duluth was 6 of 16 from the field in the fourth to finish at 40 percent overall (23 of 58).

“Elisa has been able to hit shots for us all year long and because she also plays in the post she stretches the floor. That creates opportunities for ball screens, just off of flashes to the top of the key. We were able to hit her on a few of those tonight,” Eighmey said. 

Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) had 12 of her career-high 21 points in the first half with all 15 of her defensive boards coming on the defensive end. She moves into the UNK career top 10 for rebounds, now with 693. Making eight freebies and six shots Kirsch also drew five fouls, had three assists, and two steals. Next, redshirt sophomore reserve forward Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) had six points and six boards in 18 minutes off the bench with junior post Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) having five offensive rebounds. UNK finished the night with a 16-2 advantage in second chance points.

“This was a huge game for us. Elisa and Klaire really stepped up did some great things throughout the game. We knew defensively we were going to have to be really good. To hold a team like them to 57 points is a great job,” Eighmey said. 

UMD was led by its stars in posts Brooke Olson and Sarah Grow. The 2021 NSIC North Division Player of the Year, Olson went for 28 points and 11 rebounds with Grow having a big second half and ended up at 16 points and five boards. The pair was 18 of 35 from the field (4 of 6 threes) with only one other ‘Dawg making more than one shot. Thus, the Lopers were plus 26 in bench points.

Earlier this year UNK won in Warrensburg, 68-56, but the Jennies took the second matchup in Kearney, 70-66. 

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