Box Score DENVER, Colo. – Friday night served as the home opener for the Regis University women's basketball team (3-0) as they welcomed the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (1-2) to the Regis Fieldhouse. Regis pulled away in the dying minutes of the game to improve to 3-0 and their best start since the 2003-04 season.
 
It was not easy for the Rangers to pull off the win, but a late three-pointer from junior Mary Sigler gave RU a 57-55 lead and they never looked back.
 
The opening two quarters saw a lot of back and forth play. UNK held a five-point lead after the first quarter, and with two made free throws from senior Karlyn Johnson with two minutes to go in the first half, Regis was back in the game, trailing 27-28. Freshman Jaz'Myne Snipes scored the last basket of the half for the Rangers, but the Lopers flew down the court and nailed a three-point jumper right before the break to take a 33-29 lead into halftime.
 
Senior Kaylie Rader opened the third quarter with a layup in the paint, and Sigler followed with a steal, layup and an and one opportunity, thanks to a foul on the visitors. Sigler drained her free throw and RU had their first lead in the second half.
 
The score bounced around with both sides taking leads on and off for the entire third quarter. UNK held a 47-46 lead as the teams regrouped and headed back out for the fourth and final quarter.
 
Coming out hot, the Lopers extended their lead to four points, and the home team battled back, bringing the score to 54-55 with the Lopers on top and only three minutes to go. The Regis defense came up clutch as they forced a bad shot and then tracked down the rebound. As the ball worked its way up the court, Sigler found herself open, set her feet and drilled a three-pointer to put the Rangers ahead with 2:25 remaining.
 
With a one point lead, Snipes cashed a baseline jumper to put RU up by three. The home team closed out the game as Johnson nailed 6-6 free throws in the late stages to seal the game for Regis.
 
Both teams had 14 points off turnovers, the Rangers dominated the points in the paint 36-8, scoring 18 in the final two quarters and allowing only six. Johnson led the way with 19 points, and a game-high eight rebounds. Johnson went 5-6 from the floor, on top of a 9-9 performance at the charity stripe. Sigler added nine points, while senior Lena Jaycox, Rader and Snipes each added eight points.
 
The women's basketball team will return to the floor a week from today on Friday, November 25 to battle the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles (3-0) at 5 p.m. The following night, Saturday, November 26, the team will quarrel with Florida Southern College Mocs (3-0) also at 5 p.m. Come out and support your Rangers.