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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Ced Johnson
Corbey R. Dorsey
87
Winner Central Okla. CentOK 7-5,7-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
79
Neb.-Kearney UNK 5-10,5-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Central Okla. CentOK
7-5,7-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
87
Final
79
Neb.-Kearney UNK
5-10,5-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Okla. CentOK 47 40 87
Neb.-Kearney UNK 39 40 79

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History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Arnold Scores 35 as Loper Rally Falls Short, 87-79

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Kearney, Neb. – Central Oklahoma had six score in double figures and hit a couple of late threes to hold off Nebraska-Kearney, 87-79, Thursday night at the Health & Center.

One of the hottest teams in the MIAA at the moment, UCO (7-5) has won six of seven and improves to 16-5 all-time vs. UNK (5-10).

In a frantically paced game that saw several big dunks, missed dunks, 65 three-point attempts, two new UNK school records, and a technical foul, the Lopers climbed the mountain several times but couldn't get to the top. Redshirt sophomore guard Myles Arnold (Fontana, Calif.) tallied a career-best 35 points, thanks to a school-record 18 three-point attempts, but UNK couldn't erase a 19-point second half hole.

"A lot of times it takes a semester for a transfer to get their feet wet and figure out the style of play and the level of play," UNK head coach Kevin Lofton said. "It seems Myles has started to get a feel for it … we're doing all we can to instill the confidence in him. He needs to continue to be aggressive."

Going 16 of 51 from behind the three-point line, Kearney fell behind 26-10 midway through the first half. But six treys, including four by Arnold, were part of a 22-8 run that made it a one possession game with 3:41 left in the half. However, UCO responded with a 13-7 spurt to regain the momentum and lead by eight at the break.

"We rebounded well when we got them to miss. Maybe sped them up a little bit because I think they wanted to slow it down at a certain point," Lofton said. "They got it going there from the middle of the first half and into the second. They had a couple of guys hitting that you didn't think would knock them down. Hats off to them … six of seven with the only loss to NW Missouri. They are playing pretty well."

The 'Chos, who finished 8 of 15 from long distance, remained on fire to start the second half as they opened up a 60-41 lead by the 16:12 mark. UNK countered once more, getting the deficit to 10 by the 10-minute mark and then to two three minutes later. UCO turned a Loper turnover into a fast break layup and a four-point lead and then a three from Cam Givens made it 78-71 with 3:32 left. Just prior Arnold sunk his eighth and final three of the night.

A three from the left corner by junior Kiwi Matt Brien made it a two-point game once again, 78-76, but UCO followed with another three, this time a corner shot by Jaden Wells. UNK didn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

"I'm proud of our guys fight. I think they really just didn't give up on it," Lofton said. "We started the second half down eight and then they spurted. It looked like, 'Wow this is gonna get really, really ugly,' But our guys hung in there … at times we had stretches of good man-to-man defense. That got us in transition and we stuck a few threes." 

Arnold finished 13 of 26 from the floor and also had eight boards, four steals and three assists over 36 minutes. This is the 13th game of at least 35 points in UNK's MIAA era (since 2011-12).  Mike Hancock had held the record for most triple tries in a game (16, vs. Fort Hays State, Feb. 1998).

Next, Utah senior Jake Walker hit four long range shots to score 14 with Brien at 11 points, five assists and five caroms. UNK made 14 of its 23 two-point shots (62 percent) and tallied 25 points off 16 'Chos miscues.

The previous team three-point attempts record of 40 was set in a November 2006 loss at Augustana. Finally, the 16 makes are one off the school record (2010 at Metro State and 2004 vs. New Mexico Highlands). 

"We knew going in from a physicality standpoint we were behind the eight ball. They have a lot more size and athleticism," Lofton said. "We just had to keep competing and did what we could to keep the heat on."

For UCO, Washington State transfer Isaiah Wade had a team-best 18 points with Givens at 17 and reserve Shemar Smith providing 14 points and seven boards. UCO shot 57 percent (31 of 54) from the field, sunk 17 of 22 free throws and was plus nine on the glass.

The Newman Jets (2-12) come to down Saturday evening. They fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 69-64.

 
Gallery: (1-1-2021) UNK Men's Basketball 2021 Vs. UCO

 
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Players Mentioned

Jake Walker

#23 Jake Walker

G
6' 2"
Junior
Matt Brien

#1 Matt Brien

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Myles Arnold

#3 Myles Arnold

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6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jake Walker

#23 Jake Walker

6' 2"
Junior
G
Matt Brien

#1 Matt Brien

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Myles Arnold

#3 Myles Arnold

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
G