February 20, 2005

Men's Basketball Wins Another in Final Seconds

Late Rally Lifts UNK over Colorado Christian

            Kearney, Neb. –   Another close call, another win for the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team.            

            Going against the percentages, Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura made two free throws with 11 seconds left and one of the nation's best three pointer shooters missed two treys in the closing seconds as the Lopers rallied past Colorado Christian, 80-77, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            With the win, UNK (20-5, 14-3 RMAC) reaches the 20 win plateau for the fifth straight year and the 22^nd time in school history.

            The Lopers also improve to 7-3 in games decided by seven points or less this year with five of those victories coming in the last seven games.

            CCU (18-7, 10-6 RMAC) came within seconds of beating the Lopers for only the third time in school history.

            Down 75-70 with 1:57 to play, UNK's rally began with a layup from Utah senior Will Taukiuvea and, after a Cougar turnover, a three by Colorado sophomore James Lane.

            After Bellevue senior Marty Levinson forced another CCU turnover, Taukiuvea hit 1 of 2 free throws to push the Lopers ahead by one with 40 seconds to go.

            Australian senior Brent Hobba gave CCU the lead back when he made a shot in the lane with 17 seconds to go.

            That set up the final frantic seconds.

            Jura would be fouled by Hobba on a shot attempt with 11 ticks left. A 55.7 percent free throw shooter on the year, Jura promptly made both free shots to give UNK the lead back.

            The Lopers threw on the full court press and almost got a steal but, instead, the ball came right back into the hands of Troy Johnson and he found Curi Yutzy for a wide open three point attempt with about five seconds to go.

            Yurty missed the shot and Levinson got the rebound. Despite two made free throws by Levinson, the game wasn't over as Yutzy got a decent look from about 40 feet but his shot hit the front rim as the buzzer sounded.

            The senior came into the game ranked fourth in the nation in three point percentage at 50.8 (66 of 130).

            Jura finished with a double double (20 points, 12 rebounds), his seventh of the year and third in the last six games.

            The lefty carried the Lopers in the second half as UNK was just 8 of 26 (30.6 percent) from the field, including a 3 of 13 effort (23 percent) from the three point line. Jura had nine of his points and nine of his rebounds in the final 20 minutes.

            Also for UNK, Levinson finished with 18 points and four assists, California junior Chris Dean had 12 points and four rebounds and Taukuivea had 10 points, five assists and four boards.

            Hobba led the Cougars with 26 points and nine rebounds while senior guard Matt Vaughn had a big second half and finished with 23 points and five assists.

            In the evenly matched game, there was 16 ties and nine lead changes. UNK grabbed a 48-42 halftime lead thanks to 70.4 percent shooting (19 of 27) from the field in the first 20 minutes. CCU, which out scored the Lopers 9-3 in the last two minutes of the half, made 60.7 percent (17 of 28) of its first half field goals.

            UNK hosts Fort Hays State and Chadron next Thursday and Friday to close out the regular season.