MIAA Preview: Lopers Look to Make Some Noise in Return to K.C.

Men's Basketball 3/6/2025 12:00:00 PM

MIAA Preview: Lopers Look to Make Some Noise in Return to K.C.

Kearney, Neb. – For the first time in five years the Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team is in the MIAA Tournament and faces Pittsburg State Friday in Kansas City.

The Lopers (12-15) are the fifth seed and the Gorillas the fourth (17-11). Tip off is set for 12 p.m. with the winner advancing to Saturday's semifinals at noon. Eighth-seed Central Oklahoma upset top-seed Washburn, 90-84, on Thursday and awaits the Loper-Gorilla winner. The 'Chos beat ninth-seed Emporia State, 73-60, on Wednesday to start the tourney. Trey Hep, Chase Thompson & Kendrick Gilbert

Trey Hep, Chase Thompson & Kendrick Gilbert

UNK is in the MIAA's for the seventh time and looking for its first win in the event since the 2017-18 season. The Lopers are 6-6 all-time in the tourney with the 2015-16 team reaching the finals.

Just two weeks ago at Buckle Court the Gorillas posted a 100-93 win over UNK. It was an absolute shootout as Pitt shot 63% from the field and the Lopers 53%. MIAA Player of the Year Jordan Frison (26 points & a school-record 18 assists) led the way with four others in double digits. The Gorillas went 14 of 23 from deep and was plus six on the glass.

Guard Allen Taylor (Bradley, Ark.) had his first 29-point game that night with backcourt mate Ja'Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) at 25 points and six assists. UNK made 12 of 27 threes but 12 missed free throws and a late turnover allowed Pitt to beat the Lopers for a fourth straight time. That was the only game between the two this regular season.

Over the last six games Taylor is at 21.5 points per game thanks to 51% shooting from the field and a 75% effort at the line. The lefty had 29 points in last Saturday's win over Fort Hays State and now leads the team in scoring on the season (16.3). Hill (18.2 ppg) has also been hot of late as he has made 13 triples down the stretch and added 21 assists (3.5 avg.). UNK has struggled at the line (68%) in its last six games after being close to 75% for most of the winter.

Pitt leads the MIAA in made threes per game (9.8), three-point percentage (39.9) and defensive rebounds (27.4 per game). Former Missouri Southern Lion Avery Taggart (15.0) is the Gorillas second leading scorer behind Frison (17.3).

MIAA Tournament (6-6) … 3-0 at home, 3-6 in K.C.
2019-20
Vs. Pittsburg State (L, 79-76 in OT/@ Kansas City)

2017-18 (1-1)
Southwest Baptist (W, 84-77/Kearney)
Vs. Washburn (L, 75-65/Kansas City)

2016-17 (1-1)
First Round Bye
Vs. Washburn (W, 75-69/@ Kansas City)
Vs. Central Missouri (L, 75-57/@ Kansas City)

2015-16 (2-1), 2nd Place
First Round Bye
Vs. Lincoln (W, 82-78 in OT/@ Kansas City)
Vs. Missouri Southern (W, 80-61/Kansas City)
Vs. Northwest Missouri (L, 61-53/@ Kansas City)

2014-15 (1-1)
Southwest Baptist (W, 90-74/Kearney)
Vs. Missouri Southern (L, 97-88/Kansas City)

2013-14 (1-1)
Lindenwood (W, 86-80/Kearney)
Vs. Missouri Southern (L, 87-79/Kansas City)

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#23 Allen Taylor: G; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill: G; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#23 Allen Taylor
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#23 Allen Taylor

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill

Players Mentioned

#23 Allen Taylor

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill