November 28, 2003

Men’s Basketball Runs by Concordia

Lopers One Shy of Century Mark

            Kearney, NE – Grand Island senior guard Brian Dunagan had 22 points, two off his career best, to lead the 24^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to a 99-82 win over Concordia-St. Paul Friday afternoon at the UNO Tournament in Omaha. UNK improves to 2-0 while CSP falls to 1-1.

            The Lopers out scored the Golden Bears, members of the Northern Sun Conference, 58-30 in the paint but CSP sunk 13 three pointers to hang around. Firing from closer range, UNK shot 54.3 percent from the floor while Concordia was a bit cooler at 43.7 percent. 

            Ahead 26-25 midway through the first half, UNK went on a 15-5 run over a four-minute span to push its lead to 11. However, the Bears hit two late threes to trail by only a 49-43 score at the break.

            CSP got the lead down to three early in the second half but the Lopers quickly got the lead back up to 10 at 58-48 and the Bears never got closer than eight points the rest of the day.

            Dunagan made four of six three pointers and finished the day seven of 11 from the field. He also was one of six Lopers to have at least five rebounds in the game.

            The four other starters were in double figures, led by 21 from North Platte senior Nick Branting and 15 from Grand Island senior Chad Sheffield. Three shy of his career high in points, Sheffield also had 10 assists, one short of his career best in that category.

            Newcomers Cameron Lollar and Dusty Jura each tallied 12 points to round out the Lopers offensive stars for the day.

             Brian Jamros led the Golden Bears with 21 points while Justin Vandenberg (18) and Dan Torrez (17) each scored over 15 points as well.

            UNK plays Bellevue tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.