KEARNEY, Neb. - Nebraska-Kearney outscored Fort Hays State 28-8 after falling behind by 12 early in the fourth quarter, handing the fifth-ranked Tiger women their first loss of the season, 73-65.
The Tigers trailed by seven on four different occasions in the first half and were down five at halftime.
FHSU (6-1, 0-1 MIAA) scored the first six points of the third quarter to take a one-point lead early in the third. A 7-0 run later in the quarter pushed the lead to six and a Belle Barbiere scored late in the quarter to push the lead to eight.
FHSU opened the fourth on a 6-2 run to go up 12 with 7:49 to play but the Lopers (7-0, 1-0 MIAA) responded by hitting three straight 3-pointers which fueled an 11-0 to pull within one. The Tigers led by four with 3:58 to play but were outscored 17-5 the rest of the way.
Jaden Hobbs led the Tigers with a season-high 20 points and dished out four assists. Belle Barbiere scored 15, all in the second half and pulled down nine rebounds. Lane Page added 11 before fouling out down the stretch.
Haley Simental led three Lopers in double-figures with 15 points. Meagan Holt and Klaire Kirsch. Both combined to hit five of UNK's 11 three-pointers.