February 13, 2005

Seniors Lead Men’s Basketball to OT Win

Taukiuvea Scores 29, Levinson 23

            Kearney, NE — Seniors Marty Levinson and Will Taukiuvea combined for 52 points and carried the Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to a 103-99 overtime win over Regis Saturday night in Denver.

            With its sixth victory of the season by seven points or less, UNK (18-5, 12-3 RMAC) extends its win streak over the Rangers (12-11, 5-10 RMAC) to 13 straight games.

            In a classic between two long time conference rivals, the game featured 20 ties and 18 lead changes. A physical contest that featured 52 fouls, five players fouling out and 79 free throw attempts, neither team held more then a six point lead all night.

            After Taukiuvea sunk two free shots with 14 seconds to go in regulation, it seemed UNK would pull out an 88-85 victory. However, Regis managed to break through a Loper trap and senior center Austin Christensen, at 6-5 and 285 lbs., hit a three to tie the game with three ticks left.

            Things quickly got worse for the Lopers when junior Chris Dean (LaVerne, Calif.) fouled out seconds into the extra session. UNK saw sophomore forward Chad Burger foul out at the eight minute mark of the second half and then sophomore forward Dusty Jura followed suit four minutes later.

            Despite having all three of its post players on the bench, UNK managed to hang with what was now a much bigger Regis team.

            Taukuivea had nine of the Lopers 15 overtime points with Levinson chipping in four. The duo combined to score 31 of the UNK’s final 37 points in the game.

            UNK took the lead for good, 99-97, when Taukiuvea converted on a three point play with 1:44 left. Levinson then scored the Lopers final four points, the last bucket coming with the shot clock winding down and Regis trailing by two with 14 seconds to go. 

            The Lopers out rebounded Regis, 39-37, and out shot the Rangers, 57.4 to 52.2 percent. Both teams spent a lot of time at the line, UNK making 36 of 47 free shots and the Rangers 23 of 32 free throws.

            UNK also attempted a season-low six three pointers but made five of them.

            Taukiuvea finished with 29 points, one off his career high. Twenty-one came after halftime as he finished the night 15 of 18 at the line and 6 of 8 from the field.

            Levinson scored 23 points, with all 16 second half points coming in overtime or in the final six minutes of regulation. He was 9 of 15 from the field and added six rebounds and two assists.

            In two games vs. Regis this year, Levinson has scored 48 points.

            Before fouling out, the Lopers trio of post players combined for 39 points and 18 rebounds.

            Regis had all five starters, and two bench players, in double figure. Christensen led the way with 23 points and five assists while Slade Bigelow had 16 points, four boards and three assists.

            UNK hosts Colorado Christian and Colorado School of Mines next weekend.