February 9, 2004

Branting Has 29 in Regis Win

Lopers Hot from the Field

            Kearney, NE – North Platte senior forward Nick Branting had 29 points and Utah junior Will Taukiuvea added 22 to lead the 11^th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team to an 87-79 win at Regis Saturday afternoon in Denver.

            UNK improves to 19-2 (11-2 RMAC) while the Rangers fall to 12-9 (6-7 RMAC) on the year.

            The Lopers were without head coach Tom Kropp who had minor knee surgery last Wednesday and couldn't make the trip. Associate head coach Kevin Lofton, a Regis graduate, led the Lopers. Kropp will return to the sidelines in the team's next game.

            UNK, one of the best shooting teams in the nation, made 55.6 percent of its field goals (30 of 54), including a 61.9 percent effort in the second half (13 of 21), to hold off Regis. The Rangers were almost as hot, shooting 65.5 percent after halftime (19 of 29) and 55.0 percent (33 of 60) for the contest.

             The Lopers took control of the things midway through the first half. Ahead 23-21, the blue and gold went on a 21-3 in a six minute span to lead by 20. UNK was 8 of 11 from the field during this stretch and also made both free throws it attempted. Taukiuvea had seven of his point during the run.

            Regis didn't go away, however, trailing by 14 at the break and then by just four points, 50-46, four minutes into the second half. The Rangers were then down by only one point on two occasions at the half way point of the second half. Each time, UNK hit a bucket to keep its lead.

            The Lopers held a two to seven point lead the rest of the night. Regis was down 83-79 with 52 seconds to go but misfired on a jumper. UNK scored the game's next four points at the line to ice the game.

            Branting had 17 of his 29 points after the break. He was again solid at the line (10 of 13) in playing all 40 minutes. He also led the team in rebounds with eight.

            Taukiuvea had 14 first half points and went 3 of 5 from the three point line. He also contribued five steals in 36 minutes of action.

            Also, Columbus redshirt freshman Dusty Jura was 6 of 7 from the field and 4 of 4 at the line to finish with 17 points in just 24 minutes of work.

            Austin Christensen had 30 points, 11 rebounds and four assists to pace the Rangers. Three other starters were also in double figures.

            UNK hosts Colorado Christian and Colorado Mines this weekend.