February 28, 2004

Lopers Fall to No. 1 Metro

Roadrunners Unbeaten in RMAC Play

            Kearney, NE – The No. 1 ranked Metro State Roadrunnres had six score in double figures to beat 5^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, 104-79, Saturday night in Denver.

            A winner of 23 straight games, Metro (25-2) is the first RMAC team to finish league play at a perfect 19-0. During its winning streak, no team has come within 14 points of Metro.

            The ball hawking 'Runners forced 25 Loper turnovers while committing only nine themselves. Metro also dominated the glass, out rebounding UNK 55-37, including a 27-15 edge in offensive rebounds.

            UNK held its biggest lead of the game, 13-8, at 15:44 of the first half after a three by Grand Island senior guard Brian Dunagan. Metro went on a 15-5 run over the next six minutes to lead by five themselves and then extended that advantage to 15 by intermission.

            The Lopers, which shot a season low 41.2 percent from the field, cut the lead to 10 points, 52-42, early in the second half but Metro got its lead up to 18 by the 13 minute mark and cruised from there.

            Senior guards Luke Kendall and C.J.Massingale each scored 22 points for Metro with Kendall also having eight assists, six rebounds and five steals. Senior forward Lester Strong also was a huge force, scoring 12 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, including seven offensive.

            North Platte senior forward Nick Branting had 18 of his team-high 25 points in the second half. He finished the contest 11 of 22 from the field and also grabbed seven rebounds and had three blocks.

            Utah junior Will Taukiuvea (19) and Columbus freshman Dusty Jura (17) were also in double figures. Jura also had a team-best eight rebounds. Finally, senior point guard Chad Sheffield had 10 assists.

            UNK will be the No. 3 seed in the RMAC Tournament next week. It's opponent is TBA.