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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Taylor Harrell
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
57
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 7-11,5-5 MIAA
52
Central Mo. UCM 10-10,5-6 MIAA
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB
7-11,5-5 MIAA
57
Final
52
Central Mo. UCM
10-10,5-6 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 29 28 57
Central Mo. UCM 30 22 52

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Lopers Play Another Close One, Rally Past the Mules

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team closed on a 10-2 run to rally past Central Missouri, 57-52, Thursday night in Warrensburg.

The Lopers (7-11, 5-5) avenge a 59-57 loss to the Mules (10-10, 5-6) earlier this year and pick up their fourth all-time win in the Multipurpose Building. UNK also is 4-5 in true road games this season.

"We just had to dig down and play some defense. Typical conference basketball, second time around and everybody knows each other well," said Loper head coach Marty Levinson on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "We needed that. Road wins are so hard to get, and they are a talented team. They are big across the board."

Things were going the Lopers way late in the first half as they held leads of 27-17 and 29-19. However, 2024 MIAA Freshman of the Year Tim Jordan Jr. got hot to the tune of three treys in the final 2:36. UCM then started the second half with another trey to cap at 14-0 run.

"We know Jordan Jr. is a good scorer and we just lost him," said Levinson. "We've been doing some zone stuff on baseline out of bounds, and they were prepared for it. They found the open gaps and hit the shots."

It was a dogfight from there with UNK tallying just 16 points over 16 minutes of game action. However, they hung around like a bad cold and an offensive rebound by sophomore post Taylor Harrell (Huntsville, Texas) led to two free throws and a 53-52 lead with 1:15 to play. It was UNK's first lead since late in the first half. About 50 seconds earlier, wing Chase Thompson (Omaha Westside) cut the UCM lead to one by converting a circus layup.

After Harrell's free throws, senior guard DeAirius Baker missed badly on a deep three with graduate guard Allen Taylor (Bradley, Ark.) grabbing the rebound. UNK called timeout and setup up a play for Harrell who battled 6-8, 270-pound Elijah Farr and others all night. This time, the layup fell and then redshirt freshman Clayton Moore (Mullen) recorded a steal with 17 seconds left to seal the deal.

"That was a great play. Chase popped into the corner and got the ball. I wanted Taylor to come get him and maybe try and give Chase a matchup where maybe he could around Farr," said Levinson. "Taylor rolled and Chase was smart enough not to force it and he came back and found him. I put them in the situation, but they read the basketball and make the play."

Thompson had a team-high 16 points thanks to a 5 of 5 effort from the line and five buckets. He also had six rebounds and two assists. Next, Taylor was 7 of 9 from the charity stripe to score 11 with redshirt junior guard Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis) at a season-best 14 points. He was 5 of 7 from the floor and knocked down two of UNK's three triples. The Lopers shot just 38% from the field but were plus seven on the boards and sunk 18 of 23 freebies. Finally, UNK is 5-6 in games decided by 10 points or less.

Barker (15) and Jordan Jr. (14) combined for 29 points to lead UCM. In the last five minutes, the Mules were 0 for 3 from the field, 2 for 6 at the line and had three turnovers. They finished the night shooting 36% from the field and 50% from the line. 

UNK is at No. 1 ranked Washburn Saturday. The Ichabods (20-0, 11-0) finally played a close game, besting Fort Hays State tonight, 74-65. Their scoring margin is just under 23 points for the season. 
 
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