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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
85
Winner NW Missouri State NWMSU 18-0, 8-0
57
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 6-12, 1-8
Winner
NW Missouri State NWMSU
18-0, 8-0
85
Final
57
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB
6-12, 1-8
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
NW Missouri State NWMSU 49 36 85
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 30 27 57

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Northwest Remains Unbeaten

Kearney, Neb. – Second-ranked Northwest Missouri State shot 57 percent from the field and had three score in double figures to get past Nebraska-Kearney, 85-57, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Bearcats improve to 18-0 (8-0) and to 8-1 all-time vs. the Lopers (6-12, 1-8). UNK handed Northwest a 66-59 loss last January at Buckle Court. 34354

Now 80-5 since the start of the 2016-17 season, Northwest came in ranked third in Division II in field goal percentage (53.1) and quickly showed why. The 'Cats went 19 of 30 (63.3 pct.) from the field in the first half including a 5 of 13 effort from behind the arc. They then made 7 of its first 10 shots to start the second half.

"When Justin Pitts (2017 D2 National Player of the Year) graduated last year everyone thought they may take a step back and become beatable. I like their team this year better than I did last year," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton. "They got shooters with size on the perimeter and you just can't leave them. We tried to limit the threes because they average 12 per game. But that opened up driving lanes and they took advantage."

A balanced attack included a game-high 23 points and five rebounds from senior wing Joey Witthus and a season-high 21 points and eight boards from true freshman guard Diego Bernard. Another starter, sophomore forward Ryan Hawkins, went for 13 points and eight boards. 

"They're just a really good team. I don't think our kids played horrible but they made it seem that way because they are so good. Defensively nothing really worked. On penetration they would bring a guy in from the weak side and that's where Bernard got a lot of his baskets."

UNK made 46% (13 of 28) of its first half shots but went 1 of 7 from behind the arc. Getting out rebounded by a 37-20 margin, the Lopers did go 8 of 12 at the line and committed just 10 turnovers.

"We tried to establish ourselves inside early. We missed some opportunities around the basket and that takes the steam out of you," said Lofton.

Ten different Lopers scored with Kearney freshman Kanon Koster (14) and Aurora freshman Henry Penner (11) reaching double figures. Koster went 5 of 9 from the field with Penner having three of UNK's five triples. Finally, Alliance sophomore Austin Luger had seven points as the Loper bench outscored the Northwest reserves by a 37-17 margin.

UNK hosts Missouri Western State on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons (8-11, 2-6) lost its fourth straight game tonight at Fort Hays State, 84-74.
 
 
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