University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Hot Shooting Lopers Start with the Hillcats and RiverHawks

Corbey R. Dorsey

Men's Basketball | 11/30/2022 10:43:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team starts conference play this weekend when Rogers State and Northeastern State come to town.

The Lopers entertain the Hillcats Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with the RiverHawks stopping by Saturday at 4 p.m. Fans not in attendance can watch via The MIAA Network, listen to The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM or follow along with live stats.

UNK (2-4) may have its full allotment of players for the first time this weekend. Guards Braden Boley (Parker, Colo.) and Sean Evans (Parker, Colo.) and forward Ryder Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) have all missed action in the early going due to injuries but are all probable to go this time around.

The Lopers continue to be one of the top shooting teams in Division II, starting the week ranked 24th in three-point percentage (40.8), 3rd in threes made per game (11.8), 18th in field goal percentage (51.5) and 63rd in free throw percentage (75.5). There are just over 300 D2 schools that sponsor men's basketball.

Super senior forward Darrian Nebeker (South Jordan, Utah) leads the way at 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He ranks 1st in the MIAA in assists, 2nd in minutes, 3rd in scoring, 8th in field goal pct. and 13th in rebounding. Including his time at Snow (UT) College, Nebeker is up to 1,135 points, 442 rebounds, 308 assists and a 50.8 FG pct. mark.

Also high in the MIAA ranks in New Zealand sophomore forward Sean Murphy (5th in rebounds) and Colorado sophomore wing Tom Connelly (2nd in 3's made per game & 3-point pct.).

Rogers is 4-2 to date and riding a two-game win streak. They are coming off an 81-70 exhibition loss to D1 Oral Roberts. Having played one true road contest to date, they posted a 16-14 (9-13 MIAA) record last year that included a 1-1 mark against the Lopers. A balanced attack features 6-3 senior guard Chris Whitaker (13.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists) and 6-8, 270-pound senior post Joey Saracco (12.7 points, 5.2 rebounds).

NSU beat Washburn Monday night in Tahlequah to improve to 4-1. They are at Fort Hays State Thursday night and saw two early season games canceled because of weather.

The 'Hawks have three double digit scorers including senior guard Rashard Perkins (17.0). He is shooting 59% from the field and 80% at the line with backcourt mate Christian Cook (17.6 ppg) at a team-best 14 made triples. Both were in double figures last winter as NSU went 16-14 and reached the MIAA Tourney quarterfinals. They also swept the Lopers along the way, 71-63 and 97-90 in double OT.

UNK heads to Missouri Western (3-2) and three-time defending national champ Northwest Missouri (6-0) next week.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Braden Boley: G; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

#12 Tom Connelly: G/F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#23 Sean Evans: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#21 Sean Murphy: F; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#5 Darrian Nebeker: F; 6' 6"; Graduate Student

#0 Ryder Kirsch: F; 6' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Braden Boley
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#12 Tom Connelly
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: G/F

#23 Sean Evans
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: G

#21 Sean Murphy
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: F

#5 Darrian Nebeker
: 6' 6"; Graduate Student
: F

#0 Ryder Kirsch
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F