Men's Basketball Survives Mesa

Lopers Rally, Then Survive Mav Comeback

      The Lopers (7-2) seventh straight win, UNK improves to 3-0 in league play. The Mavericks, who've now lost 17 of the 18 all-time matches between the two programs, falls to 6-3 (1-2 RMAC).

      Mesa took a 51-37 lead with 16:56 to go after a Darnell Jones (eight points, four rebounds) bucket. The Loper rally started in earnest three minutes later as a 17-7 run tied the game at 60 all with 9:10 left

      A three by senior Will Taukiuvea (13 points, six rebounds) gave the Lopers a 63-62 lead  a few seconds later and the blue and gold led the rest of the way. However, Mesa almost erased a six point deficit in the last 26 seconds.

      With the score 83-77, an Andy Classick (19 points) jumper brought the Mavs within four. A Loper turnover followed and a Jones three with 14 ticks left made it 83-82.

      Junior Chris Dean (16 points on 7 of 8 shooting) made two free throws but the Lopers didn't secure the win until a Devin Wood three misfired as the buzzer sounded.

      All five starters for UNK were in double figures. Columbus sophomore Dusty Jura had a team-high 18 points on 7 of 7 shooting from the field. He also grabbed seven rebounds, had four assists and three steals.

      Colorado sophomore Chad Burger had a team-high eight rebounds, to go along with 11 points. Finally, Bellevue senior Marty Levinson had 16 points and five steals in a team-high 35 minutes.

      The Lopers, struggling at the line this year, made 20 of 29 free throws on the evening (73.7 percent) while shooting an even 50 percent from the floor (30 of 60.

      Mesa had identical numbers but only attempted 12 free shots in the contest.

      Besides Classick, Dwayne Horn also netted 19 points for the Mavs. Tony Qorri (12) was the other player in double figures.

      UNK is now off until a Dec. 30^th home game vs. Midland Lutheran