January 9, 2004

Branting, Jura Lead Men’s Basketball

Lopers Roll over Adams State

            Kearney, NE – Senior forward Nick Branting and redshirt freshman forward Dusty Jura combined to score 39 points and grab 16 rebounds to lead the 9^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to an easy 88-73 victory over Adams State Friday night in Colorado.

            UNK (11-0, 4-0 RMAC) remains unbeaten on the year while ASC falls to 7-8 (0-4 RMAC). The Grizzlies are the only RMAC team Loper head coach Tom Kropp has never lost to (12-0).

            UNK got out to a 24-5 lead and never were really threatened, despite serious foul trouble and a short bench. Reserve guard Matt Jenkins is not with the team this weekend due to a family emergency.

            The Lopers led by 17 at the break but Branting and reserve forward Cameron Lollar each had four fouls with 15 minutes left in the game. A three by David Mull brought the Grizzlies within 14, 66-52, at the 12:40 mark but Branting stopped the mini-run by scoring the game’s next five points. After that, Adams wouldn’t get the Loper lead under 15 points until very late in the contest.  

            The leading scorer in the RMAC at 22.0 per game, Branting tallied 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting. He also had a team-high nine rebounds and had three assists.

            Jura had 12 of his 16 points in the first half and finished the contest with seven rebounds. Like Branting, Jura shot well as he sunk 6 of 8 shots from the field. 

            Also for UNK, Grand Island senior guard Chad Sheffield had 12 points and four assists while Utah junior Will Taukiuvea had eight points and a team-high five assists. 

            UNK shot 53 percent from the floor while holding ASC to a 41.0 percent effort. The Grizzlies hurt themselves by making only 13 of 23 free throws.

            Brandon Brochinsky led Adams with 13 points.

            The Lopers play at West Division leader Fort Lewis tomorrow night.