December 6, 2004

Men’s Basketball Rolls Past Peru

Three in Double Digits

            Kearney, Neb. –   The Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team made its first five shots from the field and were strong on defense early on in an 87-74 victory over Peru State Monday  night at the Health & Sports Center.

            This was the Lopers (2-2) second home contest of the year and the start of a six game stretch over the next 13 days.

            With the setback, the NAIA Bobcats falls to 5-7 on the season.

            Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura had a double double (19 points, 11 rebounds) in just 24 minutes of action while California junior Chris Dean tallied 19 points in 22 minutes.

            Colorado Springs sophomore reserve guard James Lane (11) was the other Loper in double figures. In all, 10 different UNK players scored in the contest with seven tallying at least six points.

            The Lopers jetted out to a 13-3 in the first three minutes of the game, thanks to some hot shooting and a defense that forced three quick turnovers.

            Peru shot just 29 percent in the first half (9 of 31) with five of its shots being swatted by the Lopers. UNK also had nine steals and forced 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

            Offensively, UNK made 62 percent of its first half shots to get out to a 41-22 halftime lead.

            In the second half, UNK saw its lead get as high as 24 points, 57-33, when Colorado Springs sophomore Chad Burger (nine points, 10 rebounds) made three triples in less then a minute.

            Peru did out score UNK, 52-46, after the break thanks to 52 percent shooting from the field. However, the Bobcats got no closer then nine points and trailed by as many as 21 points with five minutes to go.

            Spencer junior Kyle Fletcher finished the scoring when he made about a 75 foot shot as the buzzer sounded. It is believed to be the longest bucket ever made in a UNK game at the Health & Sports Center.

            Four Bobcats were in double figures, led by James Johnson (15) and Kevin Turner (12).

            The Lopers host Hastings tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.