Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior guard Cedric Ridle Jr. almost recorded a triple double to help the Lincoln University men's basketball team post a 72-61 win over Nebraska-Kearney Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Blue Tigers improve to 2-7 (1-0) while the Lopers, playing for the first time in 16 days, drop to 2-4 (0-1). This was UNK's first-ever MIAA game.

Lincoln, now 4-0 all-time vs. Kearney, came in averaging 72.0 points per game and hit that mark exactly thanks to 47% (31 of 66) shooting. The Blue Tigers also committed just nine turnovers and held a UNK squad averaging 75.0 points per game to its second lowest output of the season.

Down 14-11 at the 12:18 mark, LU went on a 12-3 run to grab the lead for good. This mini-run featured five points by Ridle and a dunk by 6-9, 270 lbs. junior post Sean Harris.

The Lopers did close the half on a 6-0 run to trail by a 38-31 score at the break. However, UNK scored just two points in the first nine minutes of the second half. By that point, Lincoln had opened up a 48-33 lead and didn't allow the Lopers to get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Kearney finished the night shooting 38% (24 of 63) from the floor, including a 3 of 17 effort from behind the arc.

A 6-2 senior from Gary, Ind., the lightening quick Ridle scored a team-high 19 on 7 of 15 field goal shooting (2 of 6 threes) while grabbing seven rebounds, handing out nine assists, recording two steals and even blocking a shot in 36 minutes.

Equally as quick, 5-10 freshman guard Jeremy Jackson came off the bench to have 12 of his 14 points in the first half with Harris warming up after the break to finish with 14 points, six boards and three blocks.

UNK saw junior post Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) scored a game-high 21 thanks to 8 of 14 field goal shooting. He also had four rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in 33 minutes.

Next, sophomore forward Tyler Shields recorded a double double (11 points & 10 rebounds) with sophomore reserve forward Ben Petersen (Minden) at five points and three rebounds.

The Lopers play at nationally-ranked NW Missouri State Saturday afternoon.