March 16, 2004
Men Battle No. 1 Metro, Fall By 11
Lopers Lose in "Sweet 16"
Kearney, NE – Against one of the best NCAA Division II teams in recent memory, the 7th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team pushed No. 1 ranked Metro State Tuesday night in the North Central Regional finals in Denver, giving the Roadrunners its closest game since November. In the end, Metro had too much and ended UNK's season, 79-68.
The Lopers finish 28-5 with four of its setbacks coming to the 'Runners (31-2). Metro has won 29 straight games and will be making its fourth Elite Eight appearance in the last six years.
This is the fifth time in six years UNK has had its season ended by Metro. Also, in 1999, the 'Runners beat the Lopers four times that year as well.
Despite making only two field goals in the last 12 minutes of the first half, UNK was down just 31-28 at intermission. The Lopers hung with Metro by sinking 16 of 18 first half free throws.
With each team playing suffocating defense, both squads shot below 30 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. Both UNK and Metro came into the game among the best shooting teams in the RMAC, each connecting on nearly 50 percent of its shots.
The Lopers used a 7-0 run, capped by a layup by Utah junior Will Taukiuvea, to tie the game at 38 all with 14:36 to play.
Metro then went on one of its patented runs to take control of things. The 'Runners out scored UNK 17-4 over the next five minutes to take a 55-42 lead. During the spurt, Metro reserve guard Keith Borgan scored nine of his 16 points.
UNK didn't go away, cutting the lead to nine, 63-54, on a Taukiuvea layup with just over five minutes to play. After Columbus freshman Dusty Jura swatted a Borgan shot, Taukiuvea had a chance to bring UNK within six at the 4:50 mark but his three didn't fall.
Metro got the lead back into double digits a minute later and UNK never threatened again.
Since falling at Minnesota-Duluth back on November 29, Metro's "closest" game was 14 points (several occasions).
UNK shot just 31.5 percent from the floor, including a 3 of 19 effort from the three point line. In its four games vs. Metro this year, the Lopers made 40 percent of its field goals and shot only 28 percent from downtown.
The Lopers effort at the line, 31 of 36, kept them close all night long.
Metro warmed up in the second half to finish at 38.6 percent for the game. After grabbing 64 offensive rebounds in the first three wins over UNK, the 'Runners had 22 o-boards tonight. The 'Runners press also forced 24 Loper turnovers.
North Platte senior forward Nick Branting made 10 of 12 free throws to tally a team-high 18 points. He finishes with the seventh most points (1,765) in school history, along with ranking third in blocks (136), seventh in steals (162) and 10th in rebounds (752).
Jura recorded his third straight double double (17 points, 10 rebounds) while Taukiuvea (13 points, nine rebounds) was one board shy of a double double as well.
Grand Island senior Brian Dunagan (10) was the other Loper in double figures. He finishes his career with 1,104 points, 25th in Loper lore. He also is fifth in steals (168) and sixth in threes made (184).
Backcourt mate and fellow senior Chad Sheffield had five assists to finish at 200 for the year, breaking Bart Kofoed's single season record of 198 (1986-87). Sheffield ranks second (459) to only Kenyra Crandell (525) in career assists.
C.J. Massingale, the North Central Regional MVP, led Metro with 19 points. Forwards Michael Morse (18 points, six rebounds) and Lester Strong (14 points, 14 rebounds) were also a force.
Branting and Dunagan represented UNK on the all-tourney team.
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Contact:
Peter Yazvac
yazvacpa@unk.edu |