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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Ced Johnson
Corbey R. Dorsey
76
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 7-10,7-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
72
Northeastern St. NE 2-13,2-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
7-10,7-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
76
Final
72
Northeastern St. NE
2-13,2-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 23 42 11 76
Northeastern St. NE 20 45 7 72

Next Game:

at Rogers State

2/13/2021 | 3:30 p.m.

River 93.1 KRVN FM & 106.9 FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 13 (Sat) / 3:30 p.m.
at Rogers State
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UNK Gets the Breaks on the Road, Earns OT Win

Kearney, Neb. – Junior Darrian Nebeker scored a season-high 23 points and redshirt sophomore Cedric Johnson made four free throws in the final 23 seconds of overtime to help Nebraska-Kearney grind out a 76-72 win over Northeastern State Thursday in Tahlequah, Okla.

The Lopers (7-10) keep its MIAA Tournament chances alive while also sweeping the season series from the RiverHawks (2-13).

Neither team held a bigger lead of eight points all night with the game featuring 15 ties and 14 lead changes. UNK is now 7-6 in contests decided by 10 points or less thanks to some good free throw shooting and a couple of fortunate last game calls.

The Lopers final four points in regulation all came at the line and helped erase a 63-61 deficit with 3:18 left. After misfiring on two shots, UNK got another o-board which led to Nebeker (West Jordan, Utah) tying things at 63 at the 1:01 mark. NSU went to Trey Sampson (team-best 20 points) to regain the lead, only to see Nebeker go to the line with 15 seconds left. The 'Hawks struggled to keep him away from the basket to the tune of seven free throw attempts and five fouls drawn.

"That's what (Darrian) looked like on tape when we recruited him and what he looked like the first two games. He came alive last Saturday vs. Newman and has been a beast in practice this week. It carried over to tonight," UNK head coach Kevin Lofton said on the KRVN radio post-game show.  

Nebeker hit both free throws and then NSU turned the ball over along the Loper baseline with two seconds left. The Loper momentum continued in the extra five minutes as they opened up a 72-67 lead after a Nebeker layup. However, the 'Hawks countered with a three from the left wing, a defensive stop and a fast-break layup.

That all set up a wild final 23 seconds where UNK lost the ball in trying to setup a final shot. The ball rolled to the sidelines with several players dove after it. NSU's Troy Locke was eventually called for fouling Johnson who hit the subsequent freebies. NSU had a chance to tie or win the game but a shot in the lane was well short and then another loose ball situation occurred. While the 'Hawks got it they also called timeout and had none left. That led to a technical foul and two more Johnson shots from the line.

"We're fortunate. A couple of breaks happened for us towards the end of it. The first half was brutal … I couldn't believe the shooting percentage when I saw it (33.3) at halftime. Thankfully second half we came out and settled down," Lofton said.

Nebeker, coming in at 6.8 points per game, made 9 of 18 shots and 5 of 7 free throws He also had six rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes of work. Next, Alliance senior forward Austin Luger had 21 of his 23 points after the break. He was 4 of 8 from behind the arc and made over half his shots (8 of 14). Finally, Johnson had his first career double double with 15 points and 14 boards (13 defensive).

"We had stretches where our guys were really great together and our composure was good. I was pleased with our offense because we got a lot of layups off the cuts we work on. That gave us a huge shot in the arm," Lofton said. "Austin and Darrian stepped up big time and Cedric came on and helped us on a night where we struggled form the three-point line (5 of 23)."

NSU saw Sampson go 9 of 14 from the floor, reserve Rashard Perkins score 15 in 30 minutes and starter Obi Agu grab 11 boards.

UNK heads to Rogers State on Saturday evening. The Hillcats (8-9) beat Fort Hays State tonight, 69-66
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Cedric Johnson

#24 Cedric Johnson

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

F
6' 8"
Junior
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

F
6' 6"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Cedric Johnson

#24 Cedric Johnson

6' 2"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

6' 8"
Junior
F
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

6' 6"
Junior
F