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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Chase Winchester
Paul Pack
61
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 14-9, 8-6 MIAA
64
Winner Lincoln (MO) LU 9-14, 6-8 MIAA
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB
14-9, 8-6 MIAA
61
Final
64
Lincoln (MO) LU
9-14, 6-8 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 25 36 61
Lincoln (MO) LU 28 36 64

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Lopers Can't Catch the Blue Tigers, 64-61

Kearney, Neb. – The Lincoln Blue Tigers got out to an early lead and held on to down Nebraska-Kearney, 64-61, Thursday night in Jefferson City, Mo.

This was the only meeting between the Lopers (14-9, 8-6) and LU (9-14, 8-6) this season. UNK sees a two-game win streak end while the Tigers improve to 6-3 at home.

"They made enough plays and we didn't. They beat us like us on a drum on the boards in the first half," UNK head coach Kevin Lofton said. "We had our chances but we missed layups, free throws and wide open shots."

UNK got another big effort from Bellevue senior forward AJ Jackson (19 points and six rebounds) but couldn't catch Lincoln after falling behind 13-7 eight minutes in. The Lopers missed 10 of their first 13 shots but were only down 28-25 at the break thanks to five three pointers.

Scoring 36 points in the paint, Lincoln was ahead 52-41 midway through the second half. UNK got layup from Kansas senior forward Morgan Soucie to make it 54-51 with just over seven minutes left to play. However a missed free throw and turnover followed with LU then sinking a three. The Blue Tigers led by at least three the rest of the way.

"We couldn't stop them. We went to a zone to keep them in front of us. Their guys were hard to guard and elusive down near the basket," Lofton said. "Sometimes from an athletic standout you are challenged."

The Lopers were down 61-58 after Texas senior southpaw Chase Winchester sunk two free throws. With the shot clock winding down the Lopers were called for a foul and Lincoln went 1 of 2 at the line to make it a two-possession game. Kearney missed its next shot before Winchester nailed a three with a second left.

Jackson made 9 of 14 shots (1 of 1 threes) to reach his point total with Winchester and Soucie both finishing with 10 points. They each made three shots from the field with Winchester having five assists and Soucie providing seven boards.

A balanced LU attack was led by senior guard Jonell Burton who had 17 points, three boards and two assists. Six others scored including a big 14 points and three boards from 6-8 junior reserve Jordan Notch.

UNK is at Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The Mules (9-14, 4-10) fell to Fort Hays State tonight, 65-50.  
 
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