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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Winston Cook
Corbey R. Dorsey
57
Neb.-Kearney UNK 5-8,5-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
85
Winner Mo. Southern St. MSSU 6-6,6-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Neb.-Kearney UNK
5-8,5-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
57
Final
85
Mo. Southern St. MSSU
6-6,6-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 25 32 57
Mo. Southern St. MSSU 46 39 85

Next Game:

at Fort Hays St.

1/30/2021 | 4 p.m.

River 93.1 KRVN FM & 106.9 FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Jan. 30 (Sat) / 4 p.m.
at Fort Hays St.
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Fast Start Propels Lions

Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Southern State Lions scored the game's first nine points and never looked back in an 85-57 win over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday evening in Joplin.  

The Lions (6-5), a 2020 NCAA Tournament team, down the Lopers (5-8) for a fourth straight time. During this stretch Southern is averaging 87.5 points per game against UNK.

"Everybody kept asking me what's going on with them. They've been such a powerhouse the last few years, making the NCAA Tournament and finishing in the top two or three in the league," UNK head coach Kevin Lofton said on the KRVN radio post game show. "They weren't shooting it at the level they are used to, and we hoped we could come in here and maybe that would continue. But they shot it extremely well … defensively we left a lot to be desired."  MSSU

Missouri Southern hit its first three triples as part of a 6 for 7 shooting start to lead 17-6 by the 14:16 mark. UNK never got on track offensively, shooting an even 29 percent (20 of 69) which included a 7 of 30 effort from behind the arc. That marks the third time this year the Lopers have hoisted at least 30 threes; they are 0-3 in such games.

"I told the team at halftime we've come too far to have a defensive effort like that in the first half," Lofton said. "They made some plays and they started fast for a second straight game. They were up 23-6 against Fort Hays on Thursday."

Division I transfer and 6-4 senior guard Stan Scott recorded a double double (17 points and 11 rebounds) to pace a balanced Lions attack. All-American post Cam Martin added 20 points, five boards and four assists with both he and Scott having three blocks apiece.

"Cam (6-9, 240 pounds) is one of the best players in the league. He's a load … there were times we sent two players at him and we just bounced off him," Lofton said. "Their point guard (Scott) has some size, and we did a poor job of staying in front of him. Their role players also stepped up."

MSSU shot 53 percent (31 of 58) from the field while also sinking 15 of 20 free throws. Additionally, the Lions had a 46-29 rebounding advantage and got 18 bench points.

UNK was led by Utah senior guard Jake Walker (16) and Bellevue sophomore wing Cedric Johnson (11). The combined for 27 points by going a combined 9 of 20 from the field. Finally, Utah junior reserve forward Darrian Nebeker had a team-best eight rebounds, six points, and four assists.

"We did not play well on either side. Offensively we didn't have much flow … we couldn't get our normal actions executed," Lofton said. "I can't count the times we got to the basket and they smashed it against the back board. They certainly have some talent."

The Lopers have only one game next week, a road date at Fort Hays State on Saturday.

 
 
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Players Mentioned

Cedric Johnson

#24 Cedric Johnson

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Jake Walker

#23 Jake Walker

G
6' 2"
Junior
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

F
6' 6"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Cedric Johnson

#24 Cedric Johnson

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Jake Walker

#23 Jake Walker

6' 2"
Junior
G
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

6' 6"
Junior
F