February 8, 2005

Fort Lewis Downs Men's Basketball

Lopers Lose Thriller

            Kearney, Neb. –   The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks had six players in double figures and sunk 28 free throws to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 105-99 in overtime, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            The loss snaps the Lopers (9-3, 4-1 RMAC) nine game win streak while FLC improves to 9-2 (4-1 RMAC) on the season.

            This is the first UNK loss to an RMAC opponent at home, other then to Metro State, since December of 1999 (Chadron State).

            FLC, preseason favorites in the West Division and coming off a 92-80 loss at UNLV Wednesday, also beat the Lopers for the second straight time.

            UNK was poised to win the game in regulation after a 13-2 run erased an 80-72 deficit. However, Derek Yutzy hit a thee pointer with 10 seconds left to tie the game at 85.

            With three seconds left, sophomore Chad Burger (Colo. Springs, Colo.) missed a three but senior Will Taukiuvea (Salt Lake City, Utah) rebounded it was fouled with seven tenths of a second remaining.

            He would miss two free throws, sending the game went into overtime.

            In the extra session, FLC never trailed, taking the lead for good on a Nick Brooks jumper, 91-89, with 2:54 left.

            Burger (13 points, five assists) hit back-to-back threes in a span of 28 seconds to bring the Lopers within two, 99-97, but Ryan Sonnek responded with a triple of his own and then the 'Hawks hit three of four free throws in the final 20 secionds to secure the victory.

            FLC was 28 of 32 at the free throw line (87.5 percent) and became just the second team on the season, following UNO, to out rebound UNK, 41-36.

            The Lopers almost overcame a 17 of 25 effort at the line (68.0 percent) by scoring 24 points off 20 turnovers and seeing its bench go for 25 points.

            Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura, who fouled out late in regulation, led the Lopers with 24 points, three shy of his career high. He was 8 of 13 from the floor and also grabbed eight rebounds.

            Bellevue senior Marty Levinson had a career-high 23 points, 18 coming after halftime. Eight of his points came midway through the second half to help give UNK a 64-57 edge with 8:45 to play.

            However, FLC out scored the Lopers 23-8 in a six minute span to take that 80-72 lead.

            Finallly for UNK, Taukiuvea had his first double double of the year  (13 points, 12 rebounds).

            Sonnek netted a team-high 23 points on 8 of 17 shooting from the field while Brooks (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Yutzy (16 points, 10 assists) recorded double doubles.

            Finally, FLC got a big effort from guard Jason Faust, who had 10 points and six boards off the bench.

            UNK plays at New Mexico Highlands and Colorado-Colorado Springs next weekend.