KEARNEY, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team built a seven-point lead in the first quarter but couldn't slow down Missouri Southern in an 86-75 defeat Thursday night.

The Lions (19-6) grabbed the lead for good when Kaitlin Hunnicutt banked in a half-court shot to make it 20-19 at the end of the first quarter. Hunnicutt then hit another three to open the second quarter and MSSU was in control from there The Lions outscored the Lopers (18-8) 24-12 in the second quarter to lead by 13 at halftime.

UNK started the second half on an 11-2 run but could never tie or take the lead in the second half. Head Coach Drew Johnson was ejected late the in the fourth quarter for arguing with an official. Kia Wilson, who was playing in her first game back from a hand injury, left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.

Despite the defeat, the Lopers had some bright spots. Sophomore Jill Aschoff finished with 16 points and 10 assists, her third time notching double-figure assists this season. Meg Burns led UNK with 18 points and made a career-high six three pointers on only nine attempts.

UNK is now in seventh place in the conference standings with two games left in the regular season.

UNK... 19, 12, 25, 19 = 75

MSSU... 20, 24, 19, 23 = 86

UNK: Burns 18, Aschoff 16, Moore 13, McCool 11, Sobczak 11, Wilson 6

MSSU: Jones 23, Franklin 20, Hunnicutt 19, Meyers 10, Hudson 9, Roach 3, Webb 2