March 5, 2005

Men's Basketball Falls in Semifinals

Lopers Luck Runs Out; Cold Perimeter Shooting Again

            Kearney, Neb. –  The Mesa State College Mavericks ended a couple of long streaks in beating the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team, 89-82, Saturday afternoon in the RMAC tournament semifinals in Colorado Springs.

            The 4^th-seeded Mavs (20-7) hadn't beaten top-seeded UNK (23-6) since early in the 1996-97 season, a streak of 11 games. The win is just Mesa's second ever over the Lopers in 19 all-time meetings.

            UNK had won six straight games decided by seven points or less. On the year, the Lopers are now 8-4 in those contests.

            A late UNK rally fell flat when a three from sophomore Chad Burger rimmed out with about 30 seconds to go. That would've tied the game and brought UNK back from a late 10 point deficit.

            Mesa, winners of 10 straight, made 29 of 35 free throws after sinking 37 free shots in its first round win over Fort Hays State.

            The Lopers starting lineup was in foul trouble all game long as junior forward Chris Dean (LaVerne, Calif.) fouled out midway though the second half and top scorers Dusty Jura  (Columbus) and Marty Levinson (Bellevue) were also whistled for five fouls.

            In addition to its foul trouble, the Lopers were again cold from long range, sinking just 4 of 18 three point shots.

            One of the best three point shooting teams in the RMAC for most of the year, the Lopers are only 17 of 60 (28 percent) from the arc in its last four games.

            Mesa shot 64 percent from the field in the second half and led most of the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, UNK shot just 38 percent in the second half and was at 43 percent for the game.

            Before fouling out, Jura scored 26 points, one off his career-best, on 10 of 20 shooting. He also had nine rebounds and three steals.

            Levinson added 19 points and three steals while Colorado Springs sophomore James Lane had 16 points and five assists.

            Junior forward Andy Classick led Mesa with 25 points and seven rebounds. He was 11 of 14 at the line and 7 of 10 from the field.

            UNK should still make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year when bids are handed out tomorrow night. The Lopers came into the weekend ranked fifth  in the North Central Region.