UNK Athletics
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt sophomore reserve post Bailee Sobczak had 23 points and 14 rebounds to help Nebraska Kearney roll past the College of St. Mary, 117-44, Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
This was the home opener for the Lopers (3-0) and an exhibition game for the Flames (1-2) per NAIA rules.
With three newcomers redshirting and two out with injuries, UNK suited up just 10 players. However, all 10 Lopers who suited up scored at least three points with the team setting a school-record for shots in a game (95). The previous mark of 92 was set back in 1989 against then-NAIA Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles have since moved into Division I.
"When you schedule these games, you're not envisioning having only 10 players in uniform. What you're hoping to see is different lineups and let the young kids play," said UNK head coach Drew Johnson. "However, we had some young players decide to redshirt which I think was the right decision. Just wanted to get out of there tonight healthy and happy."
Sobczak (Rapid City, S.D.) finished 11 of 18 from the field with 11 of her caroms coming on the offensive end. She previously had 23 points in a win over Newman with this being her third career double double. Finally, Sobczak had 17 boards in a win over Washburn this past January and was the team leader in o-boards for the season (99).
"She's come a long way in the past 18 months, just watching her come out of that redshirt year. She's going to wish she put a couple of those shots in the first time, versus having to go get it and finish again," said Johnson. "Bailee is relentless on the offensive glass, she plays really, really hard and kind of a change up from what Kia Wilson does."
The 117 points scored marks the 29th Century effort in program history and is third most on that list. UNK tallied 124 vs. Manhattan (Kan.) Christian in Dec. 2019 and 124 vs. York in Dec. 2017. Next, the margin of victory (73) ranks sixth, the 50 field goals trails only 54 in that York game, the 60 rebounds rank seventh and the assist tally (28) tied for 10th."It's another scout and they played five out and we're going to see some of that this weekend. You get something out of it even if there wasn't a bunch of young kids to sub in and out," said Johnson.
Besides Sobczak's production, UNK got 16 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals from senior wing Samantha Moore (Mullen), 11 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three dimes from junior point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) and 12 points and two o-boards from Serbian sophomore Tara Biocanin. She previously played at ORU.
For CSM, guard Aleigha Jackson went for 19 points on 7 of 21 shooting.
The competition ratches up as the Lopers face former RMAC rivals Metro State (Fri.) and Adams State (Sat.) this Saturday in Hays.