January 10, 2004

Fort Lewis Ends Men’s Basketball Streak

Turnovers Costly for UNK

            Kearney, NE – The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks had five players score in double figures and forced 21 turnovers to upset the 9^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team, 83-73, Saturday night in Durango.

            This is just the Lopers (11-1, 4-1 RMAC) third loss in its last 61 regular season games. Fort Lewis, which lost all five starters from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, improves to 9-3 and 4-1 in the RMAC. UNK trailed 72-62 with 5:21 to go but scored the game’s next seven points to get within three. With 3:22 left, UNK had two chances to get even closer but misfired on a jumper and missed two free throws. The ‘Hawks responded by scoring the game’s next three points and the Lopers didn’t get closer than four points the rest of the way

            FLC trailed 17-10 early on but led by two at the break, 44-42, and didn’t trail once in the second half. The ‘Hawks out rebounded UNK by two, 44-42, and took 15 more shots than the Lopers. UNK also hut itself at the line by making only 14 of 22 shots.

            Four Lopers were in double digits, led by North Platte senior Nick Branting with 19. He also had 12 rebounds and five assists.

            Grand Island senior Brian Dunagan hit four triples to tally 17 points while Columbus freshman Dusty Jura and 16 points and eight rebounds. He and point guard Chad Sheffield (five assists) were in foul trouble early in the second half with Jura fouling out.

            Post player Nick Brooks, who had 14 points and 19 rebounds, including seven offensive carrams, paced Fort Lewis. Ryan Sonnek (16) and Derek Yutzy (12) each had three treys while Alan Batitste had 11 points and seven boards.

            UNK hosts Western State and UCCS next weekend.