November 29, 2003

Men’s Basketball Holds off Bellevue

Branting Has Another Big Night

            Kearney, NE – North Platte senior Nick Branting had 29 points to lead the 24^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to a 78-68 victory over Bellevue Saturday afternoon at the UNO Tournament in Omaha. UNK improves to 3-0 while the Bruins fall to 6-4.

            The Lopers led by 19 points, 72-53, with 7:38 to go but Bellevue came back, scoring the game’s next 10 points. Branting hit a layup and two straight free throws to put the Lopers ahead by 13, 76-63 at the 2:39 mark, and Bellevue never seriously threatened again.

            Branting, who had a career-high 36 points Tuesday night in the opener vs. Peru State, made nine of 15 shots from the field and nine of 11 free throws. He also led the team in rebounds with seven.

            Senior guard Brian Dunagan had all 16 of his points in the first half while junior Will Taukiuvea had 15 points and five rebounds. Omaha junior Cameron Lollar, replacing an ill Dusty Jura in the starting lineup, had six points and five rebounds.

            Bellevue, which lost to UNO Friday on a last second shot, made just eight of 31 three point shots, including a 2 for 14 effort in the second half. Meanwhile the Lopers sunk half their three point shots (11 of 22).

            James Mills led the Bruins with 26 points on nine of 17 shooting.

            UNK plays at Wayne State and at UNO next week.