Skip To Main Content

University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Corbey R. Dorsey
83
Nebraska-Kearney UNK 10-16, 5-12 MIAA
88
Winner Central Oklahoma UCO 11-15, 4-13 MIAA
Nebraska-Kearney UNK
10-16, 5-12 MIAA
83
Final
88
Central Oklahoma UCO
11-15, 4-13 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nebraska-Kearney UNK 43 40 83
Central Oklahoma UCO 44 44 88

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Senior Transfer Helps 'Chos Slip Past the Lopers, 88-83

Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Adarius Avery had 35 points and 10 rebounds to help Central Oklahoma get past Nebraska-Kearney, 88-83, Saturday evening in Edmond.

The Bronchos (11-15, 4-13) sweeps the season series from the Lopers (10-16, 5-12) to lead the all-time series between the two, 13-4. Due to injury Kearney was minus a couple of key players in forwards AJ Jackson (Bellevue West) and Austin Luger (Alliance).

UNK still has a chance at the 10-team MIAA Tourney as it is a game out of a four-way tie for 10th place in the league standings. 

A member of Loyola's 2018 NCAA Final Four team, Avery came into the week as the only MIAA player averaging a double double on the season. He recorded his second straight 30-point effort by making 11 of 15 shots and 13 of 18 free throws. The 6-6, 200 pounder played 38 minutes and had 24 points after the break.

"No question this one was there. This one stings and the Lindenwood game (February 16) stings … those were two opportunities we had to really put ourselves into the postseason mix," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton.  "What it really came down to is they had a guy that no one has been able to stop of late. We didn't have the answer for him."

The game featured an unprecedented 12 ties and 10 lead changes. UNK, getting out to a 13-3 lead, shot a season-high 57% (35 of 61) from the field but was minus 12 on the glass and had eight free throw attempts to 29 for UCO.

A three-point play by Lincoln sophomore Sam Morris gave the Lopers a 61-56 cushion with 13:24 remaining. However, the 'Chos countered with a 19-10 spurt to lead by four six minutes later. Buckets by Morris and Aurora freshman Henry Penner tied things up but an Avery dunk put UCO in the lead for good. A 'Chos tip-in pushed the deficit to four and then Avery & Co. made a bunch of freebies in the final 34 seconds to salt things away.

"We tried a zone a bit, more so in the second half. I thought we got some minutes out of it but we just didn't finish possessions. They got some offensive rebounds and those were really valuable to them down the stretch," said Lofton. 

Besides Avery's heroics, UCO got double digit efforts from starters Josh Holliday (17) and Marquis Johnson (11) with reserve Colt Savage at 14 points and six boards. Finally, the 'Chos made 54% (28 of 52) of its field goals and 79% (23 of 29) of its free throws.

For UNK, Morris went for a career-high 23 points thanks to 10 of 16 (0 of 2 threes) shooting. Going 3 of 5 at the line and also having two rebounds, he had 18 points after the break. His previous career-high point total of 17 came two years ago vs. Lincoln

"Sam is on one leg and giving us everything he's got. You can tell he's not 100 percent so you have to tip your cap to him because he's competing," said Lofton.  

Not to be outdone, Penner had a season-high 19 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Sinking 8 of 11 (3 of 5 three) shots, this is his second straight and eighth double digit effort of the year. Finally, Iowa junior Kyle Juhl had eight assists, six points, three rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes.

UNK hosts Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State next week to close out the regular season.
 
Print Friendly Version