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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Kendrick Gilbert
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
79
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 9-12,7-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
66
Newman Newman 13-11,6-9 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
9-12,7-6 Mid-America Intercollegiate
79
Final
66
Newman Newman
13-11,6-9 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 40 39 79
Newman Newman 29 37 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UNK Ruins Homecoming, Flys by the Jets

Kearney, Neb. – Junior guard Ja'Bryant Hill scored a team-high 21 points to help Nebraska Kearney beat Newman, 79-66, Thursday night in Wichita.

The Lopers move to 9-12 (7-6) while the Jets fall to 13-11 (6-9). UNK stops a four-game losing steak to NU and now leads the all-time series by a 6-5 margin.

Newman came in 9-3 at home and was without leading scorer Boston Stanton III (injury). This was a key game in the MIAA standings as Newman was tied for 7th, UNK 9th in the "KPI Power Rankings" which determine seeding for the 10-team MIAA standings. 

"Our energy from Northeastern State was good and we wanted to build on that," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "We want our seniors to get to the conference tournament. We're fighting for our seniors and we're fighting we for our lives."

UNK opened up a 17-point first-half lead and kept up that advantage despite giving up 19 offensive rebounds. The Lopers limited NU to 39% shooting and forced 18 turnovers. Hill (Duncanville, Texas) was always Johnny-on-the-spot by going 5 of 5 from deep while adding three dimes. 

"JB has shot the ball well entire his life. Him being new, we had to go through some things together, and he just had to settle in," said Levinson. "When he's making shots he's almost unguardable."

Newman whittled the deficit to six early in the second half before UNK went on another run. The Jets saw junior transfer Aaron Murphy go 10 of 18 from the field to score a game-high 25 points. He also added 10 rebounds, two blocks and two assists but nine teammates were between one and nine points. They finished 6 of 28 from deep, 8 of 13 at the line with those turnovers leading to 23 UNK points. 

The Blue & Gold also got double figure scoring efforts from Omaha senior Chase Thompson (11), Arkansas grad Allen Taylor (16) and Missouri junior Kendrick Gilbert (13). Finally, Bellevue senior Trey Hepburn provided four points and three boards.

 UNK hosts Emporia State on Saturday. The Hornets were scheduled to host For Hays State Wednesday but that game was moved back a day due to the winter storm. 
 
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