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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

UNK MBB
Corbey R. Dorsey
69
Neb.-Kearney UNK 8-13,4-11 Mid-America Intercollegiate
85
Winner Central Okla. CentOK 18-3,13-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Neb.-Kearney UNK
8-13,4-11 Mid-America Intercollegiate
69
Final
85
Central Okla. CentOK
18-3,13-2 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 28 41 69
Central Okla. CentOK 42 43 85

Next Game:

at Newman

2/5/2022 | 3:30 p.m.

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 05 (Sat) / 3:30 p.m.
at Newman
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

#16 UCO Has Too Much Firepower

Kearney, Neb. – The 16th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos shot 56 percent from the field and got 27 points from junior guard Callen Haydon to turn away Nebraska-Kearney, 85-69, Thursday in Edmond.

The 'Chos (18-3, 13-2) take the season series and improve to 18-5 all-time against the Lopers (8-13, 4-11). UNK has yet to win at UCO in 10 tries.

Shooting 57 percent in the second half and finishing plus two on the glass, the Lopers hung around most of the night and didn't let the deficit get bigger than 21 points. Having three score in double digits, UNK trimmed a 17-point hole to a 53-43 margin by the 15-minute mark. A put-back bucket from Colorado freshman Sean Evans capped the mini-run but UCO pushed its advantage back to 17 about four minutes later.

"I was pleased with the effort. We went into halftime down five on the boards and we set a goal to win in that area," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton on the KRVN radio post-game show. "We did that in the second half and I think that's a credit to the kids for not giving up on it and competing for all 40 minutes."

UNK's final run got the deficit down to a 79-67 margin with 2:28 play. The Lopers had a chance to get closer but guard David Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) was called for his fifth foul and then Haydon stuck a pull-up jumper.

"They are probably the most physical talented team in the country. (Haydon) is a mid-range bandit … you almost have to make him go by you to get the layup. He had a game and was thorn in our side," said Lofton.

Haydon, who had 27 at UNK back in December, was 10 of 15 from the field and 6 of 6 at the line while also handing out six dimes, recording three steals and grabbing two boards. Next, Washington State transfer Isaiah Wade and reserve Davon Richardson each netted 10 with starter Jaden Wells hitting two threes to get close to a double double (11 points & eight rebounds).

"They have a really good team and played like it in stretches tonight," said Lofton. "We were trying to limit what they could do inside the arc. We did it at times,  especially to start the game."

Before fouling out for the first time as a Loper, Simental tallied a team-best 19 on 8 of 19 (3 of 8 3's) shooting. The nation's ninth-ranked three-point shooting team, UNK cooled off tonight (7 of 27) after a four-game stretch where it made 50 of 100.  

Also for the Lopers, Utah senior Darrian Nebeker had another all-around effort (13 points, seven boards, & five assists) with Alliance forward Austin Luger and Iowa reserve guard Parker Badding at 11 points apiece. Badding reaches double digits for a fourth straight night and is shooting 59% from the field over the last eight contests. 

UNK is at Newman on Saturday afternoon. The Jets (4-14, 1-12) pushed Fort Hays tonight before falling, 63-60.
 
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Players Mentioned

Parker Badding

#12 Parker Badding

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

F
6' 8"
Junior
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

F
6' 6"
Senior
David Simental

#10 David Simental

G
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Sean Evans

#23 Sean Evans

G
6' 3"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Parker Badding

#12 Parker Badding

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Austin Luger

#30 Austin Luger

6' 8"
Junior
F
Darrian Nebeker

#5 Darrian Nebeker

6' 6"
Senior
F
David Simental

#10 David Simental

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
G
Sean Evans

#23 Sean Evans

6' 3"
Freshman
G