January 16, 2005

Men’s Basketball Wins at Highlands

Balanced Attack Leads Lopers over Cowboys

            Kearney, NE — Five players were in double figures to lead the Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team to an 85-72 win at New Mexico Highlands Saturday night in Las Vegas, N.M.

            UNK (10-3, 6-1 RMAC) has won two straight while the Cowboys are now 2-12 (1-6 RMAC) on the year.  

            For only the fourth time this year, and for the second time in victory, the Lopers were out rebounded, 38-34. UNK overcame that by solid free throw shooting (26 of 36) and by tallying 28 points off 20 turnovers.

            Leading from start to finish, UNK led 40-31 at the break and never allowed Highlands to get closer then four points in the second half.

            The decisive run game midway through the second half when an 11-2 Loper spurt turned a five point lead into a 14 point cushion, 63-49. Highlands didn’t get closer then seven points the rest of the night.

            Bellevue senior Marty Levinson and Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura each tallied 17 points to lead UNK. Levinson was 3 of 5 from the three point line and also handed five assists. In addition to his point total, Jura had seven rebounds and four steals in 25 minutes.

            Sophomore Chad Burger (12 points, 7 rebounds) had another strong effort off the bench while Utah senior Will Taukiuvea (13) and Colorado sophomore James Lane (11) also reached double figures.

            For Lane, the effort tied his season-high, achieved against UNO and Peru State.

            Highlands had four players in double digits, led by Robert Franklin with 17. UNK shut down the RMAC’s second leading scorer, Tim Thompson (19.3 ppg), forcing him to go 4 of 11 from the floor and finish with 14 points.

            UNK plays at rivals Chadron State and Fort Hays State next week.