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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Winston Cook
Corbey R. Dorsey
64
Neb.-Kearney UNK 0-1,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
77
Winner Minn. Duluth UMD 1-0,0-0 NSIC
Neb.-Kearney UNK
0-1,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
64
Final
77
Minn. Duluth UMD
1-0,0-0 NSIC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 29 35 64
Minn. Duluth UMD 34 43 77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Duluth Uses Key Run to Take Opener, 77-64

Kearney, Neb. – The Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs went on a 19-7 run encompassing the end of the first half and the start of the second to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 77-64, Friday night in Duluth.

The game was part of the "American Family Insurance Classic." In the early contest Minnesota-Crookston hit a fade away, baseline buzzer beater to nip East Central (Okla.), 72-70. UNK faces UMC Saturday at 2 p.m.

A young UNK squad, facing a UMD team picked to finish in the upper half of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf. (NSIC), got 25 points and six assists from redshirt junior point guard David Simental in his Loper debut. Falling behind 15-7 eight minutes in, Kearney went on a 19-8 run to grab its biggest lead of the night at 26-23. Alliance senior forward Austin Luger hit back-to-back threes during this stretch with Simental connecting on three two pointers.  

However, Duluth got a three from grad transfer Jacob Shields with 23 seconds left in the half and then turned a live ball turnover into a layup and a 34-29 halftime lead. That momentum carried over into the second as the 'Dawgs zoomed ahead 45-33 after a dunk from sophomore forward Charlie Katona.

Having a plus one rebounding margin and scoring 28 points in the paint, UNK hung around, never letting the deficit get bigger than 15 points. The Lopers got within nine twice in the final five minutes but the 'Dawgs had an answer each time. They had four starters score in double figures and committed just nine turnovers.

A two-time All-RMAC pick at Colorado State-Pueblo, Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) reached his game-high point total by going 8 of 20 (2 of 4 threes) from the field and 7 of 7 at the line. He drew six fouls with five of his six dimes coming in the first half. Next, Luger had 15 points (3 of 7 threes), six boards and three assists with Utah senior forward Darrian Nebeker at 11 points and six rebounds. He was limited to 20 minutes and fouled out late.

Besides Simental, thee other Lopers made their debut including true freshman Sean Evans (Parker, Colo). He had a team-best seven rebounds, four points, assist and steal.

Duluth got 18 points and five boards from sophomore guard Joshua Brown with sophomore forward Austin Andrews at a double double (14 points & 11 rebounds). Finally, redshirt junior wing Drew Blair had 17 points, six boards and four dimes.
  
 
 
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