Lopers Look to Even UCO and NU Season Series

2/3/2021 2:35:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team aims to get back on the winning track when it hosts Central Oklahoma and Newman this weekend at Buckle Court.

Earlier this winter UNK (5-9) lost in both Wichita, 64-61, and Edmond, 72-65. On the season the Lopers are 5-5 in games decided by 10 points or less.

Tip-time against the Bronchos (6-5) is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Saturday against the Jets (2-11). Those not in attendance can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (93.1 FM/106.9 FM). Live stats are available as well.

Central Oklahoma is one of the MIAA's hottest teams, having won five of six including a 74-72 upset of nationally-ranked Washburn last Saturday. Having a 1-3 road mark the 'Chos average a 74 points per game as three are in double figures. That trio consists of 6-6 junior

Camryn Givens (13.1), 5-11 junior Callen Hayden (13.3) and Washington State transfer Isaiah Wade (11.0).

In the win over the Lopers back in mid-December Givens tallied had a team-best 15 points and Wade had 10 points and seven boards in 26 minutes as UCO erased a 34-25 halftime deficit. UNK is just 5-15 all-time vs. the Bronchos.

Newman has a roster with eight transfers and players from five different countries. They have dropped seven in a row allowing 80 points per game during that stretch. Six-four redshirt junior wing Joel Boyce (13.8) and Bronx native Branden Bunn (12.2) pace the Jets offense. Boyce tallied a team-high 20 and Bunn added 11, three of four three-point shooting, as NU erased a 29-26 halftime deficit to beat UNK on December 10.

With nearly all of Kearney's games coming down to the final 10 minutes or so, the team ranks fourth in the league in scoring defense (71.8), second in three-point percentage defense (30.6), third in opponent free throw attempts (14.5) and third in assist-to-turnover ration (1.02).

Over the last three contests Utah senior guard Jake Walker has amassed 63 points thanks to 11 made treys. In less than two seasons the Snow (UT) College transfer has sunk 103 triples to score 558 points. He has well over 1,000 points as a collegian.

Next, Bellevue redshirt sophomore Cedric Johnson has reached double figures in four of the last five games. He had career-highs in points (18) and boards (nine) in a win at Pittsburg State and is currently fourth on the Lopers in scoring (8.9). Finally, UNK has been more than solid from the line of late, sinking 46 of its last 54 (85.7 pct.) attempts.

The Lopers head to Northeastern State and Rogers State next weekend.

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