January 31, 2004

Branting Leads Men's Basketball

Lopers Run Past Mines

            Kearney, NE – North Platte senior forward Nick Branting scored 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the 11^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team to a 95-71 win over Colorado School of Mines Saturday night in Golden, Colo.

            UNK improves to 17-2 (9-2 RMAC) while the Orediggers fall to 5-13 (2-9 RMAC).

            UNK took control of the game around the seven minute mark of the first half. Ahead 26-24, the Lopers went on a 19-4 run in a five minute span to open up a 17 point lead. Mines never got the lead under 11 points the rest of the way.

            Branting sunk 13 of 17 shots from the field and had 18 first half points. Four others were in double figures, including Utah junior Will Taukiuvea. He had 12 of his 18 points in the first 20 minutes and also grabbed a season-best 11 rebounds.

            North Platte senior Jacob Mohs continues his fine play off the bench as he made 3 of 4 treys to night to tally 13 points while fellow senior Brian Dunagan had 12 points and four assists. Finally, Columbus freshman Dusty Jura added 11 points and seven rebounds.

            Guard Matt Luedtke paced Mines with 26 points and 12 rebounds. He was 11 of 24 from the field including a 4 of 10 effort form the three point line.