Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team shot 75 percent in the first half and got another double double from sophomore forward Tyler Shields to beat Missouri Southern State, 74-66, Saturday afternoon in Joplin, Mo.
 
Playing the Lions for the first time since 1990, UNK (5-11, 2-6) ends a three-game skid and wins on the road for the third time this season Mean while, MSSU falls to 9-6 (4-3).
 
Leading nearly the entire way, Kearney couldn't miss in the first half, making 18 of 24 baskets, including a 5 of 8 effort from behind the arc.  Shields (Kearney H.S.) had the hottest hand, sinking 5 of 6 shots (3 of 4 threes) as the Lopers opened up a 37-19 lead by the 5:49 mark.
 
Southern managed to cut it down to a nine point deficit, only to see sophomore wing Pierre Newton (Laveen, Ariz.) hit a three as the halftime buzzer sounded.
 
UNK cooled off considerably in the second half, going 8 of 30 (26.7%) from the floor. However, Newton went 7 of 10 at the line, and the Lions made just 1 of 11 threes, over the final 20 minutes.
 
A transfer from Arizona State, Newton tied his season-high point total of 24 by going 7 of 15 from the field and 8 of 11 at the line. He tallied 11 of UNK's 32 second half points and also grabbed eight rebounds (six offensive).
 
Recording his second straight double double, Shields finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds (nine defensive). Four of his seven field goals came from down town as he also had two of UNK's seven steals.  

Finally, senior wing Jon Henderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) had 11 points, three assists and two rebounds.
 
Southern was led by junior forward Jordan Talbert (18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks) and junior guard Marquis Addison (17 points, three assists and three steals).
 
UNK is at Truman State and SW Baptist next week