February 25, 2005

Men's Basketball Wins Share of RMAC

Lopers Roll Chadron 

            Kearney, Neb. –   The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team shot 58 percent from the field and got a double double from junior forward Chris Dean to beat Chadron State, 96-80, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            The regular season finale both squads, UNK improves to 22-5 (16-3 RMAC) while the Eagles end the year at 13-14 (7-12 RMAC).

            With the victory, UNK secures at least a share of the RMAC title. Both Metro State and Fort Lewis can end the year with identical 16-3 league records if they win tonight and tomorrow.

            The Lopers, who will be a top three seed in the eight-team RMAC Tournament, also won RMAC titles in 1998 and 2003.

            Like last night's win over Fort Hays State, UNK got off to a slow start before its pressure defense turned the tide.

            Down 13-10 at the 11:05 mark of the first half, the Lopers went on a 24-7 run over the next five minutes to grab a 14-point lead, 34-20.

            During this key stretch, Chadron had six turnovers and was 3 of 8 from the field. Conversely, UNK was 10 of 12 from the floor.

            The Eagles, who finished the game with 20 turnovers, did mount a mini-come back in the second half, using an 8-0 run to get within nine, 67-58, by the 9:21 mark.

            Dean (LaVerne, Calif.) and Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura responded with buckets in the lane and that started a 10-4 that put away CSC for good.

            Dean finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in just 26 minutes while Jura continued his fine recent play, going 9 of 10 from the floor to finish with 18 points and seven rebounds.

            Bellevue senior Marty Levinson had 15 of his team-high 21 points in the first half. He also contributed four assists and four steals.

            Finally, Utah senior Will Taukiuvea had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

            For Chadron, Eric Griffo scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the first half.

            UNK sunk 36 of 62 shots tonight, including a 61 percent effort in the first 20 minutes (19 of 31). It's only better shooting performance this year came vs. Hastings (59.1/39 of 66).