Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri State Southern men's basketball team shot 60% from the field and got 27 points from senior reserve post Slim Magee to roll past Nebraska-Kearney, 99-79, Thursday night in Joplin.
 
The MIAA opener for both teams, Southern improves to 6-1 while the Lopers fall to 2-3.
 
The Lions came in averaging 87.0 points per game and having scored at least 100 in its last three games. That offense was again on display tonight at Southern went 36 of 60 from the floor (2-7 of threes) and 25 of 33 from the line.
 
Leading 52-34 at the break, MSSU also had a 42-25 advantage on the glass.
 
UNK fell behind by as many as 23 points but didn't go away, using a three from Ravenna sophomore Connor Beranek to make it a 74-64 game with 7:50 to go.  Later, Nevada junior Davion Pearson hit back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to eight, 79-71, at the 6:09 mark.
 
However, Magee followed with a three point play and Marquis Addison made a bucket to push the Lions lead back into double digits.
 
A 6-11, 205 lbs. center who transferred in from Division I South Alabama, Magee played just 24 minutes but went 11 of 14 from the field and also grabbed 10 rebounds (five offensive) and blocked seven shots.
 
Not to be out done, Addison had 21 points on six made buckets and a 9 of 10 effort at the line.
 
Beranek led the Lopers in points (26) and rebounds (seven) as he made eight shots and sunk all eight free throws he attempted. Also playing 36 minutes, Pearson sunk 11 freebies to score 21 while also handing out nine assists.
 
Finally, junior Tyler Shields hit three triples to end with 13 points.
 
UNK is at Southwest Baptist Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats lost to 22nd-ranked Washburn, 89-87, tonight.