Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team got big efforts from senior Quinston Reggins and junior Jon Henderson to slip past Western State, 61-53, Friday night in Gunnison.
 
The Lopers (3-2, 1-1 RMAC) then fell 79-53 at Colorado Mesa on Saturday as 6-8, 285 lbs. junior reserve Colton Burgeon made 11 of 12 shots to score 27 points.
 
Ranking 1-2 on the team in scoring coming into the weekend, Reggins (Houston, Texas) had his second straight 18 point game with Henderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) tallying 12.
 
Also among the starting five at Western, sophomore post Mike Dentlinger (Millard North) had 11 points and six rebounds.
 
UNK led most of the first half but never by more than five points. Ahead 32-27 at intermission, Kearney opened up the final half strong, jetting out to a 39-27 lead with 13 minutes to go.
 
However, the Mountaineers (3-3, 1-1 RMAC) fought back, twice getting the deficit to two points with under two minutes to go. UNK held on for the win thanks to strong free throw shooting and a clutch bucket by Dentlinger that made it a four point game at the 1:55 mark.
 
UNK was out rebounded 45-34 but made 17 of its 24 freebies and held Western to 31% (19 of 61) shooting. Individually, Reggins and Henderson combined to go 10 of 23 from the field and 10 of 15 at the line.
 
Western saw 6-8, 300 lbs. junior post Charles Joseph have team-highs in points (16) and boards (eight) with each of his rebounds being offensive.
 
Mesa (4-2, 2-0 RMAC) led only 26-20 at the break on Saturday night but tallied 53 points in the final 20 minutes. Besides staring the second half on a 15-4 run, the Mavs shot 62% (26 of 42) on the night and went 26 of 36 at the line.  
 
UNK, meanwhile, shot a season low 28% (19 of 67) with no player reaching double digits. Getting out scored 38-22 inside, the Lopers were again out rebounded, 41-31.
 
Reaching his point total in just 27 minutes, Burgeon also had eight rebounds. Two other Mavs tallied 10 points a piece.
 
Rival Metro State comes to Kearney Friday night and then Regis visits on Sunday