November 8, 2003

Men’s Basketball Rolls in Exhibition

Branting Has Career-High 31

            Kearney, NE – All nine players who suited up scored, including five in double figures, to lead the Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to a 126-95 win over Dreambuilders in an exhibition game Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center. This was the Lopers only exhibition game before opening the regular season November 25^th at home vs. Peru State.

            The Lopers, who led by 29 at the break, shot 52.6 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Dreambuilders, 63-42, including a 24-17 edge on the offensive glass.

            North Platte senior forward Nick Branting made seven of nine shots from the floor in the second half en route to a team high 31 points. He finished the contest 12 of 22 from the field, including a three for six effort from the three point line. Branting, with 10 rebounds, also was one of three players to post double doubles.

            Omaha junior Cameron Lollar had 20 points on nine of 13 shooting in his Loper debut while Columbus redshirt freshman Duty Jura had 19 points and 10 boards in his first game in a UNK uniform. Also having a strong first game was sophomore forward Jacob Burger (Colorado Springs, Colo.) with 12 points and eight rebounds.

            Grand Island senior guard Brian Dunagan (18) was the other Loper in double digits. Backcourt mate Chad Sheffield had six points, six assists and four steals in 19 minutes of work.

            Former Loper standout Brent Karnatz led the Dreambuilders with 21 points while Richard Dionne and Anthony Harms each tallied 11 points.

            UNK also announced tonight that five players -- senior Marty Levinson, juniors Brad Braithwait and Matt Kucera and freshmen Jordan Farmer andScott Hannon -- will redshirt this season.