Kearney, Neb. – The regionally-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team finishes up the 2015-16 regular season with a road trip to Oklahoma.
The Lopers (17-9, 13-7), with a successful swing at Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State, can finish in the top four in the MIAA standings and receive a bye for the first round of the league tournament. Check the
Loper schedule page for tip times and media links for this weekend's game.
In second place a half-game ahead of Missouri Southern State (16-11, 13-8), the Lopers are also just in front of Fort Hays State (18-8, 12-8) and Lindenwood (15-11, 11-9). Northwest Missouri State (20-5, 17-3) has already secured the regular season title.
On January 14th, the Bronchos (13-13, 9-11) came into Kearney and left with a 71-61 victory. Australian native Jarred Bairstow had 21 points and nine defensive boards as UCO control things from the start.
Currently, the 'Chos are 7-5 at home and coming off an impressive win at Washburn. They are tied with Lincoln for ninth place in the MIAA.
UNK hasn't won in Edmond since joining the MIAA, dropping games there in 2014 and 2013. The Lopers will look to slow down a UCO offense that averages 75.3 points per game and has six players averaging over 6.8 points a night.
Northeastern State (8-16, 7-13), fighting to get into the conference tournament, missed a couple of last second shots in a 70-69 loss at UNK on January 16th. The Lopers hung on as Ravenna senior
Connor Beranek tallied 30, going 12 of 12 at the line.
Having a 6-5 home record heading into a Thursday tilt with Hays, the RiverHawks are led by senior forward Dakota Caudill (13.6 points & 5.8 rebounds), who leads in both scoring and rebounding. UNK won in Tahlequah last season but fell 90-85 in 2014.
On the Loper side of the court, the free throws continue to fall. Among 1,042 NCAA schools that sponsor men's basketball, UNK is tops at the line, shooting 81.6%. Sophomore
Ty Danielson (88.6%), Beranek (87.6%) and junior
Kevin Dineen (85.0%) are the leaders with six others between 70-80%.
Sophomore
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) would lead Division II in three point percentage but he falls short of the minimum of 2.5 made per game. He currently has made 51.9% of his triples (55 of 106), which would set a new school record.
Finally, Beranek's current scoring average of 24.4 ranks seventh in D2 and would be the second best in Loper lore. Former NBA player Bart Kofoed scored 902 points (26.5 avg.) during the 1986-87 season.
The MIAA Tournament pairings and bracket will be released Saturday night after all games have been completed.
