Loper Men Continue Dominance Over Northeastern State, 89-82
The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team had a 53-point second half to rally past Northeastern State, 89-82, Saturday in Oklahoma.
This was the only game between the Lopers (11-14, 4-10) and RiverHawks (12-10, 5-8) this season. Since joining the MIAA in 2012-13, UNK is now 17-6 vs. NSU.
The Lopers were down nine at the break but used a balanced attack and a zone to come back against the 'Hawks. UNK started the second half on a 17-4 run that featured eight points from redshirt senior point guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Dallas). That put up the Lopers by four, and they never trailed again.
"I'm just proud of these guys; it's been a rough couple of weeks for us. Our conference is a gauntlet; Fort Hays State lost here the other night," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson. "Anybody can win on any given night and I'm just proud of our guys, being down nine, and not throwing in the towel."
A top-of-the-key three from redshirt junior Anthony Swift (Las Vegas) with 2:13 left made it 83-77 and NSU didn't get closer than four the rest of the way. In the second half, UNK was even from the field (16 of 32) while the 'Hawks were 2 of 10 from downtown.
"It was the player and ball movement on offense. That's the best we moved without the ball all year," said Levinson. "We did a great job executing in the zone. They were killing us in the paint, and they were too strong down there. So, we had to pack in a little bit."
Hill finished with 25 on 9 of 17 shooting with Swift and St. Louis senior wing Kendrick Gilbert at 19 apiece. Swift went 3 of 4 from deep while Gilbert was 6 of 9 at the line and grabbed seven defensive rebounds. Next, Denver senior wing Tom Connelly had 10 points off the bench thanks to four made buckets.
NSU also had a balanced attack with four starters in double figures led by senior wing Xavier Glenn (23) and junior guard AJ Reed Jr. (19). Glenn also had nine rebounds with Reed Jr. handing out seven assists.
UNK hosts Newman (5-18, 1-13) on Thursday night.