February 17, 2004

Men's Basketball Routs Hays

Lopers Win by 29 Points

            Kearney, NE – Five players scored in double figures to lead the 7^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team to an 86-57 win over rival Fort Hays State Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            UNK (22-2, 14-2 RMAC) has now won 14 of the last 17 meetings between the two. This was the second largest margin of victory by the Lopers in the 107-game series, trailing only a 31 point win in 1971 (102-71). Also, this was the fewest points scored by the Tigers (15-9, 9-7 RMAC) in the series since 1946 (49).

            The Lopers forced 27 turnovers and held Hays to 38 percent shooting (24 of 63) from the field. UNK's strong defense helped negate Hays rebounding edge, 48-36, and overcome an uncharacteristic poor showing at the free throw line (62 percent).

            The game was decided midway through the first half when UNK went on a 9-0 to make the score 17-6. After Hays scored the next four points, back-to-back threes by sophomore reserve Matt Jenkins got the lead into double digits and then Utah junior Will Taukiuvea added a bucket to make the score 25-11.    

            Hays wouldn't get closer than eight points the rest of the night as they trailed by 20 at the half, 44-24, and by as many as 35 points, 71-36, in the second half.

            Despite playing most of the game in foul trouble, North Platte senior Nick Branting led the Lopers in scoring with 18 points. He made all eight free throws he attempted and is well on pace to break Eric Strand's school record for made free throws in a single season (175). Branting is currently at 148 made free throws.

            Grand Island senior Brian Dunagan had 12 of his 14 points in the first half while Columbus freshman Dusty Jura was 5 for 5 from the floor to tally his 14 points. He also led the team in rebounds with eight. 

            Jenkins had all 11 of his points in the first half as he hit his first three shots, all triples, from the field. It was his fourth double digit game of the year.

            North Platte senior Jacob Mohs was also strong off the bench as he scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in 20 minutes.

            Finally, Grand Island point guard Chad Sheffield had eight assists to push his career total to an even 400. That makes him only the fourth Loper to ever reach that figure.

            Marques Woods (11) and Justin Best (10) were in double digits for the Tigers.

            UNK plays its final regular season home game Thursday when the Regis Rangers visit.