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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Parker Badding
Corbey R. Dorsey
77
Winner Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 24-5,17-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate
67
Neb.-Kearney UNK 11-16,7-14 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
24-5,17-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate
77
Final
67
Neb.-Kearney UNK
11-16,7-14 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 31 46 77
Neb.-Kearney UNK 31 36 67

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Missouri Western St.

2/25/2022 | 7:30 p.m.

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

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Feb. 25 (Fri) / 7:30 p.m.
 Missouri Western St.
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UNK Goes Toe-to-Toe With the Champs

Kearney, Neb. – Northwest Missouri State stars Diego Bernard and Trevor Hudgins combined for 42 points and the No. 8/13 Bearcats finished on an 18-8 run to get past Nebraska-Kearney, 77-67, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

NW (24-5, 17-4) stops its first two-game losing streak in seven years while the Lopers (11-16, 7-14) sees its postseason hopes end.

UNK went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending national champions, getting 27 points from guard David Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.), a double double from super senior forward Austin Luger (Alliance) and a big effort from reserve forward Winston Cook (Wahoo). However, the 'Cats saw Bernard almost record a triple double (18 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and four assists) with Hudgins, the reigning National Player of the Year, warming up after the break and tallying 24 points.

"We weren't able to get it done tonight. Felt like our team competed their tails off … we were right there at the under five timeout," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "They did what Northwest does; they find ways to stretch it. They found a soft spot in our defense with penetration. They were bringing out two bigs together and finding ways to get around them. We just couldn't get a stop."

Shooting 46 percent against a top defensive squad and having a plus two rebounding margin, UNK overcame a 43-34 second half deficit. Led by Hudgins, the 'Cats spurted out of the break to grab its biggest lead to that point by the 15:43 mark. Not surprisingly, Hudgins scored 10 of his points during this stretch.

"I'm extremely proud of our guys. They've been resilient all year long and never quit on anything. If you look at the start of the second half, Northwest stretched it just like they did at their place," said Lofton. "It looked like maybe they'd stretch some more and maybe coast in. But our guys came right back and really put ourselves in position to maybe get our of here with it."

Despite foul trouble, UNK not only battled back but took a 48-45 lead on a deep three from redshirt junior guard Parker Badding (Carroll, Ia.). Northwest countered and the game was tied at 59 all by the 5:50 mark after a putback bucket by Cook. He finished with 11 points and four boards (three offensive) off the bench.

Reserve Byron Alexander gave the 'Cats the lead for good with a shot in the lane and then UNK had an offensive foul and missed two freebies in a 90-second span. By that time Hudgins converted another layup and Lincoln East graduate Wes Dreamer sunk a three. It was 66-60 with 4:21 to play and UNK didn't get closer than five the rest of the way.

"It didn't help us that Darrian (Nebeker) spent most of the first half on the bench and then fouled out in the second half (9:44 left). We had to go with the guys that were out there and they competed hard. Northwest just made a few more plays than we did," said Lofton.

Simental made four of his first five shots and ended up with a game-high 27 points. He went all 40 minutes an also had seven defensive rebounds, eight made freebies, seven fouls drawn and two assists. Next, Luger had a game-best 11 rebounds (nine defensive) as well as 10 points and three dimes. Finally, Badding had all 10 of his points after the break.

Hudgins went for 24 on 8 of 15 (4 of 9 3's) shooting. The lefty played all 40 minutes and also supplied four assists and drew eight fouls. Bernard made 7 of 17 shots, had nine defensive caroms and five of NW's six thefts. Finally, Lincoln East grad Wes Dreamer got hot late and ended up with 14 points, eight rebounds and three dimes.

"They have one of the best players in the country in Hudgins. It's pick your poison ... if you play off of him, he'll hit the three. If you push up and try and take the three away, he's got the ability to blow by you. And he finishes really well at the rim," said Lofton. 

UNK hosts Missouri Western (13-16, 9-12) on Friday night. The Griffons lost at Fort Hays State on Wednesday, 56-42.
 
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Players Mentioned

Parker Badding

#12 Parker Badding

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

F
6' 8"
Junior
Winston Cook

#14 Winston Cook

F
6' 5"
Freshman
David Simental

#10 David Simental

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Parker Badding

#12 Parker Badding

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

6' 8"
Junior
F
Winston Cook

#14 Winston Cook

6' 5"
Freshman
F
David Simental

#10 David Simental

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G