March 2, 2005

Men's Basketball Survives Again

Highlands Pushes Top Seeded Lopers

            Kearney, Neb. –   Junior Chris Dean tied his season-high of 25 points and the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team won another closer one, sneaking past New Mexico Highlands, 93-89, in a RMAC Tournament first round game Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            UNK (23-5) is now 11-0 all-time in RMAC first round games. The Cowboys, who had won eight of its last 11 games, finish at 11-17.

            The Lopers were seemingly headed for a big win as they led 40-23 with 4:31 left in the fist half.

            However, Highlands went on a 32-14 over the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half.  A dunk by 6-9, 285 lbs. center Matt Howell ended the run and gave Highlands a 55-54 lead.

            From that point on, no team led by more then six points. For the game, there were 17 lead changes and the score was tied five times.

            A three by Tim Thompson gave the 'Pokes a 83-78 lead with 6:16 to play but HU was just 2 of 10 from the field the rest of the way.

            UNK tied the game at 83 thanks to a three by sophomore James Lane at the 3:57 mark and then Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura hit one of two free throws 55 seconds later to put the Lopers ahead for good.

            Highlands didn't go quietly, however, as Jeremy Soria hit a quick three to bring his team within one, 90-89, with 52 seconds remaining.

            Utah senior Will Taukiuvea hit a turn around jumper in the lane 11 seconds later to put UNK ahead by three.

            Highlands had a chance to tie but Soria missed a three with 32 ticks left and, after UNK couldn't run down the ensuing rebound, Gene Gonzales missed a triple with four seconds to go.

            A free throw by  Bellevue senior Marty Levinson finished the scoring.

            In an even game statistically, UNK's big advantage was its bench. Junior Matt Kucera (Litchfield), sophomore Chad Burger (Colo. Springs) and freshman Nick Morrell  (Ogallala) out scored the Highlands' reserves 22-5.

            Four Highlands reserves actually had more fouls (12) then points and rebounds combined (nine).

            An important play in the game occurred when Levinson made a fast break layup with 11:15 to go to cut the Highlands lead to one, 67-66.

            Howell injured his knee on the play and didn’t return. In just 20 minutes, the big fella was 7 of 9 from the field, good for 14 points. He also grabbed 10 points and blocked two shots.

            The Lopers are now 8-3 in games decided by seven points or less this year with six of those victories coming in the last 10 games.

            Dean (LaVerne, Calif.) had three fouls by the midway point of the first half but wasn't called for another one. He was 9 of 13 from the field and 7 of 9 at the stripe while collecting six rebounds and having thee steals.

            He also tallied 25 points in a win at Colorado Mines in February.

            Levinson had 22 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the field with Jura registering his ninth double double of the year (10 points, 12 rebounds).

            The lefty, who fouled out with two minutes to go, also had five assists and a season-high three blocks.

            All five Highlands starters were in double digits, led by Thompson with 24.

            UNK plays 4^th-seeed Mesa State Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST in Colorado Springs. The Mavs (19-7) beat Fort Hays State, 81-74, tonight in Colorado.