Skip To Main Content

University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
73
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 3-4, 0-1 MIAA
76
Winner Fort Hays State FHSU 5-3, 1-0 MIAA
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB
3-4, 0-1 MIAA
73
Final
76
Fort Hays State FHSU
5-3, 1-0 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 34 39 73
Fort Hays State FHSU 35 41 76

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Fort Hays Slips Past UNK, 76-73

Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Brady Werth scored 27 points and Fort Hays State hit two late three pointers to get past Nebraska-Kearney, 76-73, Tuesday night in Kansas.

This was the MIAA opener for both teams and the 130th all-time meeting between the longtime rivals. Hays improves to 5-3, with all five wins at home, while UNK drops to 3-4. The Lopers are still looking for its first road win of the year.

It appeared that might happen tonight as Kearney was 12 of 26 from the three point line and led 71-68 with 2:22 left after a bucket by senior forward Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.). However, Hays got a three to tie things up and another one to move ahead 74-73 at the 1:30 mark.

While UNK committed an offensive foul on its next possession, Burns stole an entry pass with the shot clock winding down to give the Lopers another chance. After a timeout, freshman Kanon Koster (Kearney H.S.) was hoping to drive to the bucket but the Tigers bottled him up. A three from fellow freshman Henry Penner (Aurora H.S.) from the top of the key didn't fall with 11 seconds remaining.

Hays made two subsequent free throws and a potential game-tying three from junior reserve Chase Winchester (DeSoto, Texas) drew iron with three seconds left.  

"We're proud of them. You look what happened at Wayne and the way that one went (87-58 road loss) … this was the next one up and I thought our kids competed. Anytime you go on the road and play in a tough place like this you just want a chance. We had one down the stretch," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton. "That last one is one me. We put Kanon in a tough spot and thought he could get to the basket and maybe to get the free throw line on that one.""

A 6-7, 225 pound senior, Werth was 9 of 16 (1 of 1 threes) from the field and 8 of 11 at the line. He added five defensive rebounds, three assists and two blocks to his offensive output, as well as getting several Loper post players into foul trouble.

"Brady is just a really good player. Our guys competed against him … he just made plays. He's not a three point shooter (2 for 5 on the year) but he stepped out in the first half and made one. Once we got into foul trouble, he was hard to deal with," said Lofton.

Junior guard Devin Davis played just 16 minutes but had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. The big three pointers came from starting guards Aaron Nicholson and Kyler Kinnamon.

"I told the guys in the scouting report number five (Kinnamon) isn't a three point shooter but when there's a big shot to be taken he takes it and usually makes it. And he stuck that last three," said Lofton.

UNK's 12 threes came from four different players with Penner having the hottest hand. He made 5 of 9 to tally a season-high 17 points with Winchester getting hot in the second half to the tune of 17 points on four free throws and three treys.

"When Chase plays angry he's pretty darn good. He came off bench tonight with an edge and really gave us a shot in the arm, just like he did against the Colorado School of Mines," said Lofton. "We inserted Henry into the starting lineup tonight and he stepped up and did a really good job."

Next, Koster had his second career double double (11 points & 11 assists) with Burns having eight points and junior forward Kyle Juhl (Harlan, Ia.) tallying nine on three first half treys. 

In a game with 22 lead changes and 10 ties, UNK was an even 50% (25 of 50) from the field with the Tigers, thanks to Werth, having a 35-24 advantage on the glass. Ten offensive caroms led to 13 second chance points for Hays with the teams combining for a stellar 56 bench points.

The Lopers host Emporia State (4-2) Thursday. The Hornets were off tonight but are at Hays on Saturday.
 
 
Print Friendly Version