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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
67
Lincoln LU 16-7, 9-5
75
Winner Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 9-14, 4-10
Lincoln LU
16-7, 9-5
67
Final
75
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB
9-14, 4-10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lincoln LU 32 35 67
Nebraska-Kearney UNKMBB 27 48 75

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Big Second Half Helps UNK Upset Lincoln, 75-67

Kearney, Neb. – Freshman Kanon Koster scored a team-high 26 points and Nebraska-Kearney took advantage of 23 turnovers and 10 offensive rebounds to upset Lincoln, 75-67, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers have won two in a row and three of four to improve to 9-14 (4-10). Amazingly, UNK has now been involved in 17 games decided by 10 points or less. On the other side of the court, the Blue Tigers fall to 16-7 (9-5) and to 6-3 on the road.

Behind 20 points from senior forward Terrance Smith, LU led most of the first half and by a 32-27 score the break. UNK hung around thanks to five o-boards, leading to eight points, and 10 Blue Tiger turnovers that turned into five more points.

Lincoln coughed up the ball six more times to start the second half, helping UNK go on a 13-7 run. The Blue Tigers briefly regained the lead at 41-40 but then a Koster layup, followed by a three from Alliance sophomore Austin Luger, put the Lopers up for good.

"I think our offense worked together tonight. Kanon wasn't doing a bunch of isolation to get his points. I thought it was out of the flow … we were getting ball reversals and had some really good assists there," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton. "Kanon had one late to AJ. That's the kind of play that makes you think the guys might be jelling a little bit.

A three-point play by Bellevue junior AJ Jackson made it 64-52 with 4:15 to play but the Blue Tigers had one last run in them. A steal and dunk by junior guard Jonell Burton cut it to a four-point deficit, 71-67, with 40 seconds remaining. UNK handled the press and went 4 of 6 at the line to seal the deal.

Both teams made 26 field goals and seven threes. UNK got off 16 more shot attempts thanks to those 23 turnovers with Lincoln, normally a 77 percent free throw shooting team, going 8 of 14 at the line. Finally, Kearney ended up with 17 second chance points and 18 points off turnovers.

Individually, Koster went 9 of 14 (2 of 4 threes) from the field and 6 of 7 at the line to reach his point total. This is his fourth game of at least 25 points this season. Next, Iowa junior Kyle Juhl (11) and Texas junior Chase Winchester (nine) also sunk two threes apiece to combine for 20 points with Minnesota sophomore forward Weston Baker Magrath supplying eight points and six caroms. He had most of his production in the first half to keep UNK in it.

For Lincoln, Smith ended up with 30 points on 11 of 17 (3 of 5 threes) shooting. Going 5 of 8 at the line, he also had five rebounds, two dimes, a block and steal over 34 minutes. Burton (14) and reserve Amariontez Ivory (10) were the other Blue Tigers in double figures. Ivory came in averaging 14 points per game but didn't start for the first time this winter. He had 33 points in a win over UNK last February.

UNK hosts Lindenwood on Saturday afternoon. The Lions (12-14, 5-9) upset Fort Hays State tonight, 73-67.
 

 
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