January 29, 2005

Men's Basketball Beats No. 2 Metro State

Lopers Sink 13 Threes in Big Win

            Kearney, Neb. –   The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team made 13 three pointers, tying its season-high, to upset 2^nd-ranked Metro State, 76-59, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            A season-high crowd of 4,016 watched one of the best rivalries in Division II. Before tonight's contest, the all-time series was tied at 20 games a piece.

            With the win, the Lopers (14-4, 9-2 RMAC) snap a four game losing streak to Metro (16-2, 9-2 RMAC).

            In an extremely even game, UNK was 13 of 22 from behind the arc (59.1 percent) while the 'Runners misfired on all 13 of its three point attempts.

            This marks the fifth time this year the Lopers have made at least 10 triples in a game. In December, UNK was 13 of 26 from the three point line in win over Colorado State-Pueblo.

            The Lopers opened the second half on an 18-4 run that erased a six point deficit and opened up a eight point lead, 44-36. While UNK never trailed after this spurt, which was highlighted by three three pointers, Metro never got behind by more then 12 points.

            After a Ben Ortner layup made the score 59-55 with 4:24 to go,  Bellevue senior Marty Levinson took over.

            He scored nine points in just over a 1:30 to highlight an 11-2 run that put away Metro for good. The run started when he converted on a four point play, making a three from the corner and the subsequent free throw.

            After a jumper in the lane and two free throws from Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura, Levinson capped the run with his fifth three pointer of the night.    

            Levinson scored 15 of his team-high 18 points in the second half. He was 4 of 5 from downtown after halftime and 5 for 7 for the game.

            Last night vs. Regis, Levison scored 15 of his career-high 25 points in the second half.

            Jura (12 points, 11 rebounds) recorded his fourth double double of the year while Litchfield Matt Kucera was clutch off the bench, going 3 for 3 from the three point line.

            Also, Colorado sophomore James Lane made three treys with junior Chris Dean (LaVerne, Calif.) adding 10 points and eight rebounds.

            For Metro, senior Mark Worthington scored 16 of his team-high 26 points in the first half while senior Michael Morse added 12 and senior guard Keith Borgan tallied 10.

            Metro dominated the glass in the first 20 minutes, 22-13, but the Lopers out boarded the 'Runners for the game, 34-33. UNK also held Metro to 37.3 percent shooting from the field while making 54.3 percent of its shots.

            The Lopers host Wayne State Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.