March 8, 2004

Men Fall in RMAC Finals

Dunagan Ties Career High

            Kearney, NE – On Sunday afternoon in Colorado Springs, the 7th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team stayed with No. 1 Metro State for most of the game but the Roadrunners once again proved to be tough, winning the RMAC Tournament, 99-78.

            The loss drops UNK's (26-4) record in RMAC tourney title games to 1-5. Also, three of the Lopers setbacks this year have come to Metro.

            Metro (28-2) outscored the Lopers 9-4 in the final four minutes of the first half to take a 10-point lead, 46-36, into the locker room. The run started after a Matt Jenkins three rimmed out and Metro's Luke Kendall followed with a trey. 

            The 'Runners lead grew to 17 points, 74-57, by the 8:54 mark of the second half but the Lopers went on a 9-2 run in a 1:30 span to get within 10 again. Senior Brian Dunagan hit two threes and fellow Grand Island native Chad Sheffield hit a triple of his own to supply UNK's points in the run.

            Metro then exploded, going on a 16-2 run to push its lead to 24 points, 92-68, with just under four minutes to go. During the spurt, the 'Runners forced five turnovers and went 7 of at the free throw line.

            Dunagan tied his career-high of 24 points as he went 5 of 7 from the three point line in the second half. His 21-second half points represented half of what UNK scored (42) in the final 20 minutes.

            Dunagan tallied 24 points in a win at Western State in January 2003.

            Also, Columbus freshman forward Dusty Jura had 14 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and four steals.

            UNK's top two scores on the year, Nick Branting (13) and Will Taukiuvea (12), were each in foul trouble most of the day. Taukiuvea fouled out with about seven minutes to go while Branting picked up two fouls in the game's first four minutes.

            Metro out rebounded the Lopers by 14, 43-29, which included 21 offensive rebounds. The 'Runners had 27 offensive boards in last Saturday's win over UNK.

            The 'Runners also held UNK to 44.3 percent shooting from the field and made 21 of 26 free shots.

            All five starters were in double figures, led by tourney MVP C.J. Massingale (20). Forward Michael Morse had a double double (13 points, 15 rebounds) as well.

            Dunagan and Branting represented the Lopers on the all-tourney team.