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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Chase Thompson
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
75
Emporia St. ESU 9-16, 6-10 MIAA
87
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 10-13, 8-7 MIAA
Emporia St. ESU
9-16, 6-10 MIAA
75
Final
87
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB
10-13, 8-7 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Emporia St. ESU 39 36 75
Neb.-Kearney UNKMBB 42 45 87

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Ten Threes Fall to Help the Lopers Sweep the Hornets

Keanrey, Neb. – Senior Chase Thompson and junior Ja'Bryant Hill combined for 43 points and Nebraska Kearney closed on a 15-2 run to beat Emporia State, 87-75, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (10-13, 8-7) take the season series from the Hornets (9-16, 6-10) and are now in a four-way tie for fifth place in the MIAA standings.

It was an old-fashioned shootout as both teams shot over 50% from the field, combined for 17 made threes and 27 made free throws. UNK led for
35 minutes overall but didn't shake the midrange shooting Hornets until that late run over the final 4:55.

"Our guys are just believing right now. They've kind of found their energy and relationships are starting to show. Guys are trusting each other and getting to know their intuition," said Loper head coach Marty Levinson. "This is the time of year when it usually gets good because everyone is comfortable with each other."

Hill (Duncanville, Texas) and Thompson (Omaha Westside) both made four threes and combined to go 15 of 25 from the field. A Thompson triple with 4:07 left made it 78-70 and then Hill sunk two free throws about two minutes later to push the Loper lead into double figures. Over the final five minutes, E-State had two turnovers, missed three shots and a free throw.

After going 5 for 5 from deep in a Wednesday night win at Newman, Hill hit his first four threes today. He added four steals, three assists and two rebounds in addition to his offensive output with Thompson having his sixth 20-point game of the season. He added four dimes and four rebounds and joined Hill in playing for at least 35 minutes.

Next, sophomore post Taylor Harrell (Huntsville, Texas) had a season-high 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting from the field and a 3 of 4 effort at the line. He grabbed three of UNK's 11 offensive rebounds. Finally, graduate guard Allen Taylor (Bradley, Ark.) had 12 points thanks to two big dunks.

"It's been multiple guys of late and that's makes basketball fun and for a good team because the opponent doesn't know who to guard," said Levinson.

UNK was plus 10 on the glass, went 10 of 24 from deep, 17 of 24 at the line and 19 points off 12 Hornet turnovers.

"I don't want shot makers; I want loose ball getters. If you get all the loose balls, you tend to have things go your way," said Levinson. "Early in the game, we were grabbing all those loose balls but follow with a travel, foul. We had to keep grinding and we've also been offensive rebound a lot better lately. That's just guys wanting it."

Emporia was paced offensively by starters Arhman Lewis (16) and Brayson Laube (13) and reserve Malik Edwards Jr. (15).

The Lopers host second-plac ePittsburg State (15-9, 11-4) Thursday night.
 
 
 
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