Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior wing Logan Hovey scored 26 points and Southwest Baptist held Nebraska-Kearney to 32 percent shooting in a 66-62 win Saturday evening in Bolivar, Mo.

This was the regular season finale for both squads. UNK (19-9, 12-7) will be the third seed in the 12-team MIAA Tournament next week with the Bearcats (15-13, 8-11) occupying the 11th spot. The Lopers will face either Washburn (19-9, 11-8) or SBU Thursday at noon in Kansas City. Those two play Monday in Topeka.

Since joining the conference in the summer of 2012, UNK is now 0-4 in Bolivar by a combined 18 points. Today, Kearney shot a season-low 31.7 (20 of 63), including a 6 of 25 effort from behind the arc.

"They played well but we had every opportunity from about the 10 minute mark on to do what needed to be done in order to get the win," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton. "Turnovers happened, missed opportunities with open shots happened. We didn't make enough plays down the stretch. They made a couple that were big and that's why they came out on top."

In a game with 11 lead changes and 10 ties, the Lopers had a chance to record its 20th win despite the cold shooting. Down by as many as 11 in the first half, the Lopers grabbed a 56-53 lead with 7:23 left after a jumper from Chicago junior Yashua Trent.

The 'Cats wouldn't grab the lead back until Hovey, previously of Division I Florida Gulf Coast, made a layup with 1:57 to go, making the score 59-58. About a minute later, UNK was down two but forced SBU into a turnover. However, a triple try by Minnesota sophomore Isaiah McKay found iron and the 'Cats went 5 of 6 at the line to salt things away

"It wasn't like we weren't getting opening opportunities. At times, we weren't tough enough mentally to play through some calls that could've gone our way but didn't," said Lofton. "At the end of the day, if you get an open shot, you'll either make it or not. It wasn't like they were blazing the nets either."

Hovey (6-6, 225 lbs.) went 8 of 12 from the field (2 of 3 threes) and 8 of 10 at the line to reach his point total, which was three off his career-best effort. As a team, SBU made 41% (21 of 51) of its shots while also having a plus nine rebounding margin. UNK did score 14 points off of 18 'Cat turnovers.

Besides Hovey, starters Dean Cartier (14) and Brian Patterson (10) scored in double figures.

UNK saw Iowa junior forward Trey Lansman record his ninth double double of the season (17 points & 10 rebounds) and Iowa freshman forward Kyle Juhl reach double digits (13) in his second career start. Juhl also had four offensive rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes.

Finally, Trent had a season-high eight assists, five points, four boards and one turnover in 29 minutes.