Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Thanks to a 62-point second half, the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team overcame a double digit deficit to race past the Western New Mexico Mustangs, 96-83, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

Tallying a season-high point total, the Lopers (8-5, 6-4 RMAC) snap a four-game losing streak to the Mustangs (5-10, 5-6 RMAC). Western, located about 17 hours from Kearney, is now 1-8 on the road this year.

Using its athleticism to get the basket early and often, the Mustangs not only built a 40-29 lead late in the first half but were also getting several key Lopers into foul trouble.

Thanks to a last second bucket by sophomore post Mike Dentlinger (Millard North), UNK trailed 42-34 at the break. That momentum carried into the second half as the Lopers shot close to 70% for much of the last 20 minutes.

In addition, Kearney started getting to the free throw line and, by the end of the game, Western's top players, T.J. Riley and Chad Carter, had fouled out.

After trailing for nearly 20 minutes, UNK moved ahead for good with junior wing Jon Henderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) stole the ball and made the ensuing layup to make it 57-56 at the 12:00 minute mark.

In about a seven minute span, UNK out scored Western 28-11 to open up an eight point lead, 71-63, with 8:23 left.

Dentlinger scored 10 of his game-high 27 points during this run with sophomore guard Tim Billingsley (Parker, Colo.) coming off the bench and hitting two of his five threes. This pair combined to go 10 of 11 from the field, and 8 of 8 at the line, in the second half to score 30 points.

Not to be out done, senior guard Quinston Reggins (Houston, Texas) had a 15 point second half on 8 of 10 free throw shooting.

UNK finished the night shooting 52.6% (30 of 57) from the field, including a 9 of 14 (64%) effort from beyond the arc. This marks the second straight game the Lopers have made half its field goals. At the line, the Lopers went 27 of 33 and also tallied 23 points off of 16 Mustang turnovers.

Dentlinger came within three points of his career as he went seven of eight at the line and made all 10 shots he attempted from the field. All-American post Nick Svehla holds the school record for most made field goals in a game without a miss, making 11 in a 2000 home win over Ft. Hays State.

Billingsley also had a career night as he went 5 of 5 from the three point line to tally 19 points in 26 minutes. Also supplying four rebounds, the point total is one shy of his career best. 

Finally, Reggins finished with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds and Henderson chipped in with 16 points and three assists.

Riley led Western with 23 points, nine assists, three steals and three assists with Carter supplying 11 point, seven boards, three blocks and two steals.

UNK hosts New Mexico Highlands Saturday night.