Box Score Kearney, Neb. –Central Oklahoma junior forward Josh Gibbs went for 23 points and eight rebounds, and senior forward Spencer Smith added a double double, to power the Bronchos to an 85-75 win over Nebraska-Kearney Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
UCO (8-11, 6-5) is now 5-0 all-time against the Lopers (6-14, 3-9). The Bronchos are also an impressive 5-1 in MIAA road games this season.
 
A long and athletic team, UCO not only sunk 11 of 25 three pointers (44.0%) but also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds, leading to 17 points.
 
The Bronchos closed the first half on a 20-11 run to lead 40-32 at the break. The eight-point cushion was thanks to 12 second chance points and a combined 21 points and 10 rebounds by Gibbs (6-5, 235 lbs.) and Smith (6-6, 220 lbs.). 
 
UCO led by as many 14 points in the second half but UNK hung around, getting as close as 68-62 with 4:22 to play. However, the Bronchos got back-to-back fast break layups to lead by double digits again.
 
The Lopers tallied the game's next five points but UCO freshman wing Cal Andrews (6-7, 200 lbs.) converted another fast break layup to make it 74-67 and the Bronchos sunk its free throws after that.
 
Among the top players in the MIAA, Gibbs reached his point total on 10 of 19 (2 of 7 threes) field goal shooting . Also handing out four assists, five of his boards came on the defensive end.
 
Next, Smith finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds (five offensive) and three assists with Andrews going 5 of 7 from behind the arc to tally 20. Finally, UCO won the battle on the glass, 41-34, and had 23 assists on 31 made shots.
 
Senior Jon Henderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) led the Lopers with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. The lefty went 7 of 10 from the field (4 of 6 threes) in playing a team-high 35 minutes.
 
Kearney sophomore forward Tyler Shields had 13 of his 16 points after the break with junior Thomas Cooper (Chattanooga, Tenn.)  coming off the bench to have a season-high 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.  

Finally, senior reserve post Drew Sankey (Lincoln East) had six points, four boards and three b locks.
 
UNK's next two games are against Fort Hays State (Feb. 9^th and Feb. 16^th).