February 24, 2005

Men's Basketball Destroys Hays

Lopers Largest Margin of Victory in Series

Kearney, Neb. –  The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball, in a quest for an RMAC title, forced 28 turnovers and had a plus 14 rebounding margin to whip rival Fort Hays State, 83-51, Thursday night in front of a season-high crowd of 4,311 at the Health & Sports Center.

            The 32-point win is the Lopers largest margin of victory over Hays, eclipsing a 31-point thrashing back in 1971 (102-71).

            UNK (21-5, 15-3 RMAC) has won four in a row while the Tigers (18-9, 12-7 RMAC) have lost 10 straight games in the Health & Sports Center, dating back to 1996.

            Earlier this year in Hays, the Lopers fell by a 90-72 count and were out rebounded, 40-26.

            Things changed 360 degrees tonight as UNK had 21 offensive rebounds, leading to 25 second chance points, among its 46 caroms.

            And tough full court defense held Hays to 35 percent shooting from the field and those 28 turnovers, the most by a Loper opponent this year.

            The Tigers had almost as many turnovers in the first half (19) as points (21). For the game, the Lopers scored 26 points off Hays miscues.

            Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura was a man among boys, registering his third straight double double; 17 points, 12 rebounds. The lefty had seven offensive caroms among his rebounding total while adding four steals.

            The game got off to a very slow start as the two teams combined for 14 points in the first eight minutes. UNK began to break away at the midway point, using a 12-2 run to get out to a 27-16 edge by the 5:42 mark.

            Hays had 12 turnovers in the final 10 minutes of the first half and were held scoreless in the final 4:34. Things only got worse in the second half as UNK opened up a 24 point lead, 51-27, by the 15:17 mark.

            Besides Jura, Utah senior Will Taukiuvea had 17 points, five rebounds and three steals, Colorado sophomore Chad Burger came off the bench to tally 16 points and grab eight rebounds while Bellevue senior Marty Levinson warmed up in the second half and finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

            Hays, playing with out starting guard Derrick Graham due to injury, was led by Derrick Turner with 12 points.

            UNK hosts Chadron State tomorrow night to finish the regular season.