Press Release

Feb. 3, 2010

Henry Gets 31, Bearcats Lose Tough Game at UNO

OMAHA, Neb.-Abby Henry scored a career-high 31 points, the second straight game that a Bearcat has scored 30 or more, but it was not enough as Northwest Missouri State loses a tough road game to Nebraska-Omaha (11-9, 6-7 MIAA) 81-77.

Gabby Curtis scored 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds after not playing last Saturday against Fort Hays State. Gentry Dietz was just one rebound short of her third consecutive double-double, Dietz had 12 points and a block.

After falling behind 21-9 with 10:48 remaining in the first half Northwest went on a 18 to eight run to cut the Maverick lead to 29-27 with just under five minutes remaining. The Bearcats would continue to finish the opening half strongly and took a 40 to 38 lead into halftime.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle with seven ties and 10 lead changes in the half, Northwest's biggest second-half lead was four points while UNO's was five. The Bearcats struggled down the stretch hitting just four field goals the final 7:33 of the ballgame.

Both teams were very even with Northwest shooting 38 percent and Nebraska-Omaha hitting 39 percent from the floor. Northwest had 17 turnovers to UNO's 15, however the Bearcats had just three assists and the Mavericks had 15. Northwest out-rebounded UNO 51 to 39 and went 23-for-32 from the free-throw line.

The loss becomes Northwest's second defeat this season when they've led at the half. Northwest (11-10, 7-7 MIAA) will play at Pittsburg State on Feb. 6. The Bearcats fell in December to the Gorillas 79-68. Henry had 17 points and four assists to lead four Bearcats in double figures in the loss.