Sioux Falls Edges Nebraska Kearney 63-60 in Season Opener

Three players scored in double figures and Sioux Falls capitalized on 22 turnovers to edge Nebraska Kearney 63-60 Monday night at the Health & Sports Center, Central Nebraska Today reported.

The season opener marked a rematch of last year’s meeting in South Dakota, where the Cougars defeated the Lopers 62-51.

Sioux Falls opened a 12-point advantage early in the fourth quarter at 53-41, fueled by six made three-pointers and UNK miscues. The Lopers responded with a 19-6 run, capped by a three-point play from freshman point guard Eliana Arambula, a triple from freshman guard Lexi Hecht, and a three-point play by 2026 MIAA Freshman of the Year Myleigh Weers.

That surge put UNK ahead 60-59 with 33 seconds remaining. Sioux Falls then secured the win by going 4 of 6 at the free-throw line.

“We dominated the paint so their made threes are whatever. But we can’t turn it over 22 times,” UNK head coach Drew Johnson told Central Nebraska Today. “Got to take care of it a little bit better. The run that made the difference was 12; you’ve got to find a way to cut that to six or eight.”

Sioux Falls turned UNK’s 22 turnovers into 27 points, outscoring the Lopers 21-12 in the third quarter. For the Cougars, Anna Vaaler recorded 23 points and nine rebounds, while forward Kami Wadsworth and guard Alexis Ross each added 15 points.

UNK controlled the paint with a 42-30 scoring advantage and held a plus-four rebounding margin while shooting 13 of 14 at the charity stripe. Arambula led the Lopers with 11 points, eight assists, and seven boards. Senior forward Jordan Sears contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, Serbian senior post Tara Biocanin added 12 points and five rebounds, and Emporia State transfer Makenzie McDaniel scored 10 points in nine minutes off the bench.

“The way we look at it early in the year, you can schedule to win the game, or you can test yourself and see where you’re at and to prepare for conference play,” Johnson said, according to Central Nebraska Today. “I appreciated the fight and the ability to come out and go and get it. We knew it was going to be a challenge and a tough game.”

UNK continues tournament play Friday against Minnesota Crookston and Saturday against Northern State at the annual MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament on Buckle Court.