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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
69
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 0-1
88
Winner Southern Nazarene SNU 1-0
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB
0-1
69
Final
88
Southern Nazarene SNU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 39 30 69
Southern Nazarene SNU 51 37 88

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

#10 Crimson Storm Prove to be a Tough First Test

Kearney, Neb. – The 10th-ranked Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm came out strong and then held off Nebraska-Kearney in the second half to win 88-69 Friday night in Bethany, Okla.

The game was a part of the GAC/MIAA Central Regional Challenge. UNK faces another GAC (Great American Conference) opponent tomorrow afternoon in the Oklahoma Baptist Bison. OBU fell to Washburn in the early game, 99-96.

SNU went 27-3 last year in winning the GAC regular season and tournament titles. Reaching the NCAA Tournament, they return most of its roster from that talented squad. That includes reigning GAC Player of the Year Jhonathan Dunn who went for 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals tonight. The 6-4 junior wing made 8 of 14 shots (3 of 8 threes) and 5 of 7 free throws.

Next, 6-11, 250 pound center Noah Starkey tallied 20 points, 11 rebounds (five offensive), three assists and two blocks. Finally, starting guard Micah Speight went for a double double (14 points & 10 assists). 

Going 12 of 27 from downtown and having a plus 14 rebounding margin, SNU got out to a 27-15 lead midway through the first half. Ahead by 21 points six minutes later, UNK closed on an 18-9 run that featured threes by three different true freshmen; Parker Badding (Carroll, Ia.), Kanon Koster (Kearney H.S.) and Henry Penner (Aurora).

The Crimson Strom moved ahead by 16 points, 63-47, four minutes into the second half but the young Lopers came back once more. A 10-1 run ended after a three by senior forward Carter Burns (Ankney, Ia.). He ended the night with 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting (3 of 5 threes).

UNK was still down seven, 69-62, with 7:37 left before SNU erupted and went on a 17-3 run to ice things. The Lopers missed three free throws and four field goals during this closing stretch while Dunn had a dunk and a triple.

Besides Burns, Koster led Kearney with 17 points on 7 of 17 shooting (2 of 4 threes). He played 32 minutes and also added five defensive rebounds. Next, fellow starters AJ Jackson (Bellevue West) and Sam Morris (Lincoln SE) had 10 points apiece and combined for 10 rebounds. Finally, Badding and Penner combined for 15 points on four made treys.

Kearney finished 10 of 26 from behind the arc and had just 10 turnovers but also was 7 of 16 at the line. 


 
 
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