Men's Basketball Wins Wild One, Upsets Metro State

Freshman Mike Dentlinger

Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team shot 56 percent from the field, and junior guard Michael Vandahl came up with his first career block in the closing seconds, as the Lopers edged Metro State, 82-78, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The all-time series between the two is now tied at 27 games. UNK improves to 10-13 (8-11 RMAC) while the Roadrunners, among the Central Region's top squads, fall to 18-5 (14-4 RMAC). Despite having only nine players this year, and suiting up just seven tonight, Metro is 9-2 in games decided by eight points or less.

UNK was seemingly in good position as it led 72-61 with 4:36 to play. An 8-0 run created the double-digit lead with six of the points coming at the line. Metro saw starter Jonathan Morse and reserve Glenn Miller foul out during the run and played the final 4:36 with its last five players.

The Lopers also suffered a loss when Pierce junior Max Froehlich was whistled for an offensive foul at

Tim Billingsley

the 3:11 mark, which was his fifth foul of the game. Ahead seven at the time, UNK led by just a 77-76 count with 47 seconds left after a Shakir Johnson put back.

Metro then had a chance to take the lead thanks to a steal from freshman guard Brandon Jefferson. However, Reggie Evans missed a jumper and Vahdahl made one of two free throws to make it 78-76 with 29 seconds left. About 13 seconds later, a driving Evans saw his shot blocked from behind by Vandahl. The ball went off a Metro player and led to two made free throws by guard Tim Billingsley. He then hit two more freebies with three seconds left after another bucket by Johnson.

UNK finished the night 25 of 45 (55.6 pct.) from the field and 24 of 28 (85.7 pct.) at the line. Making half of its field goals for a second straight night, the Lopers also sunk 8 of 13 three pointers (61.5 pct.).

Using its size and athleticism, Metro pulled down 17 offensive boards, which led to 25 second chance points. The 'Runners also took 19 more shots than the Lopers but had only 27 field goals overall (42.2 pct.). Metro also struggled at the line, going 20 of 32.

This strong rebounding helped Metro come back from deficits of 17-2 and 20-5 in the first half. Missing 13 of its first 14 shots, the 'Runners managed to trail by just a 31-29 score at intermission and eventually held a three point lead in the second half.

Playing a team-high 34 minutes, Billingsley (Parker, Colo.) tallied 14 of his season-high 20 points after the break. He went 6 of 7 from the field (3 of 4 threes) and 5 of 5 at the line to reach his team-high point total. In the post, freshman Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) made 5 of 9 shots to score 19 points while pulling down a team-best seven rebounds. He also went 9 of 9 at the line.

Before fouling out, Froehlich had 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds with junior forward Chris Deans (Hemingford) having 12 points and four boards off the bench.

Metro had four starters in double figures, led by Johnson (18) and Evans (17). Four 'Runners also grabbed at least six rebounds.

UNK is at Colorado-Colorado Springs and Colorado-State Pueblo next weekend.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Michael Vandahl: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#32 Chris Deans: F; 6' 4"; Junior

#24 Max Froehlich: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#22 Tim Billingsley: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#54 Mike Dentlinger: F; 6' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Michael Vandahl
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#32 Chris Deans
: 6' 4"; Junior
: F

#24 Max Froehlich
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#22 Tim Billingsley
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#54 Mike Dentlinger
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: F